There are five Round 16 Super Rugby games taking place on Saturday the 1st of June. Darry Worthington previews the action below.
There’s another blockbuster Super Rugby Saturday heading punters way with some crucial derbies and cross-conference games taking place. It’s a toss up for the headline match of the round with the Chiefs versus Crusaders fixture, the Sharks versus Hurricanes match and the Lions versus Stormers clash all set to provide intriguing viewing.
Sunwolves v Brumbies
Chichibunomiya Stadium
07:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Sunwolves 5/1
Draw 30/1
Brumbies 1/8
Handicap
Sunwolves (+16.5) 9/10
Brumbies (-16.5) 9/10
Saturday gets underway with an all-Australian Conference clash as the last-placed Sunwolves play host to the Conference-leading Brumbies. The visitors can ill-afford a slip up here as they have the Melbourne Rebels breathing down their necks on the standings. The Sunwolves, on the other hand, have nothing to play for but will be keen to bounce back from last week’s humiliation at the hands of the Rebels.
The hosts have been struggling to score points in recent weeks while they have been extremely defensively porous. The past few weeks have seen them go down 33-0 to the Brumbies and 7-52 to the Rebels.
The Brumbies have enjoyed a far more fruitful couple of Rounds beating this weekend’s opponents 33-0 in Round 13 and following that up with last weekend’s 22-10 victory over the Bulls.
Verdict: Sunwolves (+16.5) 9/10
Despite their recent showings, the Sunwolves are still a good side. While I can’t see them beating the Brumbies, I can see them giving them a real run. As such, I’ll be having a moderate strike on the plus line.
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Chiefs v Crusaders
Suva
09:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Chiefs 33/10
Draw 30/1
Crusaders 1/5
Handicap
Chiefs (+12.5) 9/10
Crusaders (-12.5) 9/10
We head on over to Fiji for our next fixture which will see the Chiefs play host to the Crusaders in what should be a cracking New Zealand derby. The hosts currently lie three points off the play-off places and need a win here to remain in the hunt for a spot in the next round. The Crusaders, on the other hand, could secure top spot on the Overall Conference, with two rounds to spare, should they win this one.
The Crusaders responded to their draw with the Stormers at Newlands with a clinical 19-11 victory over the Blues in Christchurch. The game was played in rather challenging conditions but pivot Richie Mo’unga controlled proceedings with aplomb.
The Chiefs also managed to register a win last week beating the Reds 19-13. The game saw All Black Sam Cane make his long-awaited return to the Chiefs starting XV and the veteran flanker will have a major role to play for his side this weekend.
Verdict: Crusaders (-12.5) 9/1
The Chiefs have endured another injury blow this week with hooker Nathan Harris ruled out. They are a threadbare squad at the moment and I can see them running out of gas come the final quarter of this game.
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Reds v Jaguares
Suncorp Stadium
11:45
To Win (80 Mins)
Reds 14/10
Draw 25/1
Jaguares 11/20
Handicap
Reds (+ 4.5) 9/10
Jaguares (-4.5) 9/10
The Jaguares will be looking to maintain top spot on the South African Conference standings when they take on the Reds in their final tour fixture. The visitors have enjoyed a marvellous tour of Australasia beating the Hurricanes and Waratahs while claiming a losing bonus point from their narrow loss to the Highlanders.
The Reds, on the other hand, have endured a tough couple of weeks going down narrowly to both the Chiefs, Rebels and Waratahs. They have no hope of making the play-offs but will still be keen to make a mark in the final three rounds of this year’s tournament.
Verdict: Reds (+4.5) 9/10
I actually fancy the Reds here. The Jaguares have grown a lot this season but these are the sorts of games they have lost in the past. I think the plus line is the way to go as this should be a rather tight affair.
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Sharks v Hurricanes
Kings Park
15:05
To Win (80 Mins)
Sharks 12/10
Draw 25/1
Hurricanes 7/10
Handicap
Sharks (+2.5) 9/10
Hurricanes (-2.5) 9/10
The Sharks will be looking to build on their impressive 27-17 derby victory over the Lions when they take on the Hurricanes in Durban. The visitors endured some patchy form before departing New Zealand for their tour of South Africa and suffered a shock defeat to the Jaguares a week after beating the Blues by ten points at Eden Park.
This should be a rather interesting battle considering the Sharks have beat the ‘Canes by 17 points when the sides last met in Durban back in 2016. The hosts have also given a solid account of themselves against New Zealand opposition this term drawing with the Crusaders in Christchurch and going down by just six points to the Chiefs.
Verdict: Sharks 7/10
The Natalians need the points to remain in the hunt for a play-off berth. I can see them edging this one by the narrowest of margins.
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Lions v Stormers
Emirates Airline Park
17:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Lions 7/10
Draw 25/1
Stormers 12/10
Handicap
Lions (-2.5) 9/10
Stormers (+2.5) 9/10
All eyes will be firmly focused on Emirates Airline Park come five pm on Saturday with the Lions and Stormers set to battle it out to remain in the hunt for a play-off berth. The two sides are currently level on the Overall Conference ladder but the Lions occupy the final play-off berth thanks to their superior points differential.
The visitors will fancy their chances of usurping the hosts as the Stormers have been in great touch over the past fortnight registering a draw with the Crusaders before beating the Highlanders 34-22 last weekend.
The Lions have endured a tougher time of it over the past fortnight as their 38-29 victory over the Highlanders was followed by a morale-sapping 27-17 defeat to the Sharks.
Verdict: Lions (-2.5) 9/10
While the Stormers are in solid form I can’t see them beating the Lions in Johannesburg. I think the hosts will actually have a good time of it on Saturday and I can see them clearing a less than formidable handicap.
Written by Darry Worthington for Hollywoodbets
