The Super Rugby Pacific action keeps on coming with some thrilling ties set to light up our screens this weekend, including clashes between the Reds and the Brumbies as well as the Hurricanes and the Chiefs.
Friday 1 April
Crusaders 1/8 | Draw 33/1 | Highlanders 5/1 (08:05)
Handicap
Crusaders (-15.5) 9/10 | Highlanders (+15.5) 9/10
We kick things off in Canterbury where the Crusaders will be looking to pull away at the top of the New Zealand Conference standings when they take on the only team yet to bag a win in the ‘comp, the Highlanders.
The hosts bounced back from their round in style from their Round 5 loss to the Chiefs by beating the same opposition 19-34 last weekend. All Black Sevu Reece was the star of the show with the winger making a massive impact off the bench as his side ran away with the win after a tense opening first half.
The Highlanders were once again on the wrong end of a narrow loss as they went down 25-32 to the Blues in a game that they almost took to extra time with a late try being disallowed for a knock-on in the build up.
While it was another gutsy display from the men from Dunedin, they really need to bag a couple of wins as soon as possible if they are to sneak into this year’s play-offs.
The Crusaders are starting to hit their straps and I can’t see them having too many issues clearing the minus over this Highlanders side.
Drua 5/2 | Draw 25/1 | Waratahs 1/3 (10:45)
Handicap
Drua (+8.5) 9/10 | Waratahs (-8.5) 9/10
The Drua will be looking to bounce back from their 42-27 defeat at the hands of the Rebels when they take on a Waratahs side on the up and up this Friday.
The hosts have struggled since beating the Rebels back at the start of March losing narrowly to the Reds and Force before going down 42-27 to the Rebels in a rematch this past weekend.
While they were full of running and put in a solid attacking shift, their defence was all over the place and they will need to shore up this aspect of their game up if they are to get a win over the Waratahs.
While the Drua have struggled for results in March, the Waratahs have enjoyed a far more positive month winning two of their four games with their victories coming over the Force (22-17) and the Rebels (24-19).
They are still a developing side, however, and they’ve found the going tougher against the big boys in the Australian Conference as they went down 27-20 to the Brumbies at the start of the month and 32-20 to the Reds this past weekend.
I expect tries galore here as both teams know where the whitewash is. My money is on the Drua keeping it within the plus handicap in what should be a high-scoring affair.
Saturday 2 April
Blues | Draw | Moana Pasifika (08:05) *betting tba
Handicap
Blues |Moana Pasifika
The Blues will be looking to make it back to back wins over the new boys when the two sides square off for the second time this week.
The hosts were given a good run by Moana Pasifika this past Tuesday and survived an early second-half fightback to claim a 19-32 victory. The star of the show was once again utility back Stephen Perofeta who must surely be playing himself into the running for an All Black berth with his solid kicking and broken field running.
While the defeat would have been frustrating for Moana Pasifika, they are heading into this second successive clash off the back of a good week as they managed to beat the Hurricanes 24-19 last Saturday in a game that went to extra time.
It’s been a busy week for both these sides and I’m sure fatigue will set in here. This will give the upper hand to the Blues who rested a couple of their big guns during the midweek clash.
Reds 62/100 | Draw 20/1 | Brumbies 27/20 (10:45)
Handicap
Reds (-3.5) 9/10 | Brumbies (+3.5) 9/10
It’s Australia’s showpiece game next up with the Reds taking on the Brumbies at Suncorp. The hosts will view this game as a chance to atone for the 16-12 Round 5 defeat they suffered at the hands of their arch-rivals.
Both sides head into this one off the back of solid results with the Reds seeing off the Waratahs 32-20 this past weekend while the Brumbies managed to survive a fired up Force side whom they beat 38-39.
This game will have a bit of extra spice to it with a number of players duking it out for spots in the Wallabies squad. Tate McDermott’s and Nick White’s battle at scrumhalf is certainly one to keep an eye on as it may have a big bearing on who starts the international season with the Australian number nine jersey on their back.
I fancy the hosts here. There’s not much to choose between the two sides and home ground advantage may well swing it in their favour.
Sunday 3 April
Hurricanes 17/10 | Draw 22/1 | Chiefs 5/10 (05:35)
Handicap
Hurricanes (+5.5) 9/10 | Chiefs (-5.5) 9/10
Things come to a close out in Wellington this weekend where a smarting Hurricanes outfit will be looking to get one over the Chiefs.
The hosts had a rather poor time of it in the last round as they went down 24-19 to Moana Pasifika. The ‘Canes had complete dominance of territory and possession – especially during the first half – but were unable to convert this into points.
They would rue their ineptitude as Moana Pasifika would force the game to extra time and then score the winning try against the run of play.
The Chiefs also had a tough time of it last weekend as they were unable to repeat the dose against the Crusaders going down 19-34. They gave a good account of themselves in the first half and will take some positives from the game, especially the performance of centre Alex Nankivell, who was superb for the men from Waikato.
While the loss of Brodie Retacllick to a broken thumb is a blow for the Chiefs, I still fancy their chances against this ‘Canes outfit.
