Darry Worthington previews the four Round 7 Super Rugby fixtures that will take place on Saturday the 30th of March.
The shocks continued last weekend with a number of results going the way of the underdogs. The most noteworthy of upset defeats had to be the Waratahs victory over the Crusaders, which ended the Canterbury-based franchise’s long-standing winning streak this past Saturday.
We could well be in for another Saturday filled with upsets as there are some fascinating fixtures taking place, including a clash between a wounded Bulls side and a Sharks side who will be looking to build on their victory over the Rebels.
Blues v Stormers
Eden Park
08:35
To Win (80 Min)
Blues 5/10
Draw 25/1
Stormers 16/10
Handicap
Blues (-5.5) 9/10
Stormers (+5.5) 9/10
We kick proceedings off at Eden Park this Saturday with the Blues playing host to the Stormers in a cross-conference affair.
The hosts finally got their three-year losing streak to domestic oppositions off their backs last Friday as they beat the Highlanders 33-26. The star of the show was once again young winger Rieko Ioane who bagged two tries. The All Black has dotted down six times in his last two matches and one would not be surprised to see him increase that tally this Saturday.
While the Stormers didn’t manage to bag a win last weekend, they did give a solid account of themselves during their 34-28 defeat at the hands of the Hurricanes. The South Africans could have actually won the game had it not been for some poor decision making and a few handling errors during the final salvos of the fixture.
Verdict: Stormers (+5.5) 9/10
This should be an extremely tight game. Both sides are playing some good rugby at the minute and it could really go either way. I think the safest option here is to back the tourists on the plus for a very small stake.
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Reds v Rebels
Suncorp Stadium
11:45
To Win (80 Mins)
Reds 12/10
Draw 22/1
Rebels 7/10
Handicap
Reds (+2.5) 9/10
Rebels (-2.5) 9/10
The Rebels will be looking to bounce back from what was a disappointing tour of South Africa when they return to Australia to take on the Reds. This could prove to be a rather tricky assignment for the visitors as the hosts will head into this one in good spirits having won their last two fixtures.
Last weekend was a rather harrowing one for the Rebels as they were beaten 28-14 by a Sharks side who outclassed them in almost every facet of the game. It was their second loss on their short tour of South Africa and followed a heartbreaking 36-33 defeat to the Lions.
The Reds have enjoyed a much better fortnight following up their comeback 31-34 victory over the Sunwolves with an impressive 36-14 derby victory over the Brumbies. The two wins have seen the men from Queensland move to within five points of the Australian Conference-leading Waratahs.
Verdict: Reds 12/10
The Rebels will have a long flight home this week, and while they did rest a few players against the Sharks the air miles are still likely to take their toll. I can see a late surge from the Reds seeing them to victory here.
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Sharks v Bulls
Kings Park
15:05
To Win (80 Mins)
Sharks 6/10
Draw 22/1
Bulls 22/10
Handicap
Sharks (-3.5) 9/10
Bulls (+3.5) 9/10
The Sharks will be looking to inflict a bit of vengeance over a Bulls side who thumped the Natalians 37-14 when the two sides squared off in Round 4.
The South African duo experienced contrasting fortunes in Round 6 with the Sharks securing a solid 28-14 win over the Rebels while the Bulls went down 20-56 to a Chiefs side that is on the rise after a poor start to the season.
Only two points separate the two sides on the South African Conference standings which will add a lot of heat to what would already have been a spicy affair.
Verdict: Sharks (-3.5) 9/10
The Bulls are likely to be without talismanic off-season signing Duane Vermeulen, who suffered a knee injury last weekend. His absence is a massive blow for Pote Human’s men, who will be lacking a real ball carrying presence against a physical Sharks side.
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Jaguares v Chiefs
Estadio Jose Amalfitani
23:40
To Win (80 Mins)
Jaguares 21/20
Draw 25/1
Chiefs 8/10
Handicap
Jaguares (+1.5) 9/10
Chiefs (-1.5) 9/10
The Chiefs will be looking to build on the momentum they have gathered over the past fortnight when they take on the Jaguares, who will be well-rested after enjoying a bye week during Round 6.
The visitors really have up the ante over the last two weeks backing up their draw with the Hurricanes by smashing an in-form Bulls side 56-20. The Chiefs upswing in fortunes has coincided with Damian McKenzie switching back to his natural fullback role, with the diminutive All Black relishing the extra space he’s had when on the ball.
While the Jaguares had the week off, they wouldn’t have been relaxing as there were many areas of their game that needed rectifying after their 35-8 Round 5 defeat to the Stormers.
Verdict: Chiefs 8/10
The men from Hamilton are on a roll at the minute and I would not be at all surprised to see them collect back-to-back away wins.
Written by Darry Worthington for Hollywoodbets
