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Super Rugby 2020: Round 1 Saturday & Sunday Preview

The 2020 Super Rugby season will continue on Saturday and Sunday. Shaun Goosen previews the weekend matches below.

Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports

Sunwolves v Melbourne Rebels
Saturday 1 February
Level-5 Stadium
05:45

To Win (80 Mins)
Sunwolves  6/1 | (+20.5) 9/10
Draw 30/1
Chiefs 1/12 | (-20.5) 9/10

Image copyright – Steve Haag Sports

The Sunwolves will look to get their final Super Rugby season underway in the best possible fashion when they host the Melbourne Rebels at the Level-5 Stadium in Fukuoka City on Saturday.

2020 will be an interesting year for the hosts. With just 14 actual Japanese members in their squad, they again resemble more of a Barbarian team than anything else but will still look to use the success of the World Cup as a launchpad for big things this season.

Playing in Fukuoka City, one would expect a jam-packed Level-5 Stadium. The Sunwolves should look to use this to their benefit in the months ahead.

Verdict: Sunwolves by eight
Considering some of the quality at their disposal last season, the Rebels would have been disappointed not to have qualified for the knockouts. Despite the loss of Quade Cooper and Willy Genia, David Wessels will want his side to push on. On Saturday, though, the hosts may just sneak it.

Crusaders v Waratahs
Saturday 1 February
Trafalgar Park, Nelson
08:05

To Win (80 Mins)
Crusaders  1/12 | (-18.5) 9/10
Draw 35/1Waratahs 6/1 (+18.5) | 9/10

Image copyright – Steve Haag Sports

The Crusaders can get off their title defence to a solid start with a win over the Waratahs at Trafalgar Park on Saturday.

Scott Robertson’s men will be without the likes of Sam Whitelock, Kieran Read, Ryan Crotty, Matt Todd and Owen Franks this season. Just how the loss of that quintet will affect the franchise this year remains to be seen, but there is still more than enough quality to see them compete for a fourth straight championship.

The Tahs will be without Bernard Foley (Kubota Spears) while Rob Simmons has taken over the captaincy from Michael Hooper. Rob Penney is the new man in charge, with the Kiwi bringing plenty of experience to the role.

Verdict: Crusaders by 10
That experience will be crucial as the men from Sydney attempt to put a poor 2019 season behind them, though they may get off to a shaky start this weekend.

Stormers v Hurricanes
Saturday 1 February
DHL Newlands
15:05


To Win (80 Mins)
Stormers 7/10 | (-3.5) 9/10 
Draw 20/1
Hurricanes 13/10 | (+3.5) 9/10


Image copyright – Steve Haag Sports

The Stormers will look to deliver on their massive promise this season by knocking over the Hurricanes in their opener at DHL Newlands on Saturday.

The Capetonians are one of the favourites to claim the SA Conference title in 2020. Boasting a multi-talented squad, buoyed by the arrival of one Jamie Roberts, John Dobson’s men will be under pressure to deliver consistent performances this year.

The Hurricanes will be a tough challenge first up. With Beauden Barrett now a Blue and Ardie Savea out for an extended period, they will be ripe for the plucking come the weekend.

Verdict: Stormers by five
With the support of the Newlands faithful, the Stormers should claim a morale-boosting win in Round One.


Jaguares v Lions
Sunday 2 January
Estadio Amalfitani
01:00

To Win (80 Mins)
Jaguares 1/4 | (-10.5) 9/10 
Draw 25/1
Lions 28/10 | (+10.5) 9/10

Image copyright – Steve Haag Sports

The Jaguares will offer the Lions a staunch test at the Estadio Amalfitani on Sunday morning.

The South Americans, without inspirational skipper Pablo Matera (Stade Francais), will look to go one better this season after their loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch last year.

They will still be a serious contender in 2020, with an outstanding squad led by a top-drawer coach in Gonzalo Quesada.

The Lions are looking to build on their previous season with a number of youngsters set to take centre stage in the months ahead.

Verdict: Jaguares by 12
Still, travelling to Buenos Aires is never easy, and you’d have to back the Jags to come out trumps in this one.


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