We preview Saturday’s Round 11 Super Rugby Super Rugby action, which gets underway with a clash between the Rebels and Lions.
We are just past the halfway mark and the international rugby season looms large. And while every rugby fans across the globe cannot wait for the British and Irish Lions series to get underway, I am going to miss Super Rugby. Yes, the tournament needs a diet as badly as Rickie Januarie. And I am rather sick of having to watch Australia franchises – apart from the Force – attempt to play rugby. But there are some rather intriguing sub-plots developing, especially down in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Anyway, I intended to make this piece a bit shorter this week and then, right off the bat, I ramble on in the first paragraph. Back to the nitty gritty and like I said, this week’s piece is going to be a lot more slimline with a quick-fire format being used rather than the standard 1000 word plus write up. We will be back to the normal structure next week. If you did enjoy the shorter format, however, let us know in the comments section and we’ll start churning one of these out as well as the longer preview.
Saturday 6 May
07:00 AM
Rebels 5/1 | Draw 33/1 | Lions 1/9
Handicap
Rebels +16.5 9/10 | Lions (-16.5) 9/10
The Lions just managed to sneak past the ‘cap against a dogged Force side last Saturday. They have a substantially larger margin to clear this Saturday with the bookmakers adding eight more points to last week’s handicap. I’m not going to be popular in Johannesburg, but I can see the Rebels staying within the margin quite comfortably.
09:35 AM
Chiefs 1/33 | Draw 33/1 | Reds 8/1
handicap
Chiefs (-22.5) 9/10 | Reds (+22.5) 9/10
I’ve given up backing the Chiefs to clear handicaps as they have are struggling to click, and their backline is missing a fulcrum. The Reds have also failed to live up to their billing and that loss to the Waratahs showed that they are about as mentally tough as a certain group of footballers that are managed by Arsene Wenger.
The ‘cap is way too high for my liking as the Reds, despite their delicate psyches, have managed to stay inside the handicap against New Zealand opposition this season. I’m avoiding this one but if you’re going to have a strike my advice would be to have a go on the Reds’ plus.
11:45AM
Waratahs 22/10 | Draw 25/1 | Blues 1/3
Handicap
Waratahs (+6.5) 9/10 | Blues (-6.5) 9/10
The ‘Tahs delivered at even money last week and my hard-earned cash is on them doing it again. Yes, they have been dire this season but I get this sneaky suspicion that they are about to string together some results. The Blues – the most talented Blues squad since the Spencer/Rockocko days – have underperformed this year. I know they beat the Brumbies last week but they were by no means clinical with ball in hand. ‘Tahs to edge it by the narrowest of margins is my main play, but you can also look into the First Try Scorer – Wing or Fullback – which is currently available at 7/4.
15:05 PM
Sharks 1/10 | Draw 33/1 | Force 5/1
Handicap
Sharks (-16.5) 9/10 | Force (+16.5) 9/10
The Sharks were great last week but this handicap just looks a bit too big for me. The Force are a dogged and the hosts have put in a few mediocre shifts at home this year. I can see the visitors turning this into a stop-start affair, which sees them not only stay within the margin but also pick up a bonus point. Force on the plus is my tip here. The First to 10 Points – Force – market could also be worth a small punt.
17:05 PM
Bulls 47/10 | Draw 33/1 | Crusaders 1/8
Handicap
Bulls (+14.5) 9/10 |Crusaders (-14.5) 9/10
Short and sweet we will be! Sorry I couldn’t resist the Yoda sentence structure after seeing the ‘May the 4th Be With You’ memes all week. The Crusaders should clear the -14.5 ‘cap with absolute ease.
23:40
Jaguares 1/50 | Draw 35/1 | Sunwolves 9/1
Handicap
Jagaures (-22.5) 9/10 | Sunwolves (+22.5) 9/10
This is another handicap that looks a bit too large as the Sunwolves have managed to lose while ensuring the scoreline remains a dignified one. I’m all over the +22.5 handicap here. I will also have a dabble on the – First to 10 Points – Sunwolves market.
Written by Darry Worthington for @Hollywoodbets.net!
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