The Super Rugby season will continue on Saturday and Sunday. Shaun Goosen previews the second round matches below.
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Chiefs v Crusaders
Saturday 8 February
FMG Waikato Stadium
08:05
To Win (80 Mins)
Chiefs 29/20 (+4.5) | 9/10
Draw 25/1
Crusaders 11/20 (-4.5) | 9/10
Chiefs will look for a repeat of their last performance against the Crusaders when the two clash at the FMG Waikato Stadium on Saturday.
Last year, the two-time champions put on a massive display to win 40-27 in Suva, Fiji after having initially gone down a few months prior. The class of 2020 will look to call on the emotion of that showing this weekend.
Both sides picked up wins last week, with Aaron Cruden and Anton Lienert-Brown’s impact off the bench taking the game away from the Blues. The Crusaders got a great result over the Waratahs despite being without their experienced stars of the past three seasons.
Verdict: Chiefs (+4.5) @ 9/10
The defending champions should have just enough to sneak this one but won’t clear the handicap.
Waratahs v Blues
Saturday 8 February
McDonald Jones Stadium
10:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Waratahs 5/4 (+3.5) | 9/10
Draw 25/1
Blues 13/20 (-3.5) | 9/10
Both the Waratahs and the Blues will be in search of their first win in the competition at the McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
The hosts succumbed to the Crusaders 43-25 in Christchurch while the Blues let slip a golden opportunity in an eventual 29-37 loss to Chiefs in Auckland.
Last year the Blues pipped the Tahs by just three points at Eden Park and this weekend’s clash is set to be as tight. Discipline and opportunity-taking will be paramount.
Verdict: Waratahs (+3.5) 9/10
At home, the Tahs will have just about enough to claim a five-point win.
Lions v Reds
Saturday 8 February
Emirates Airline Park
15:05
To Win (80 Mins)
Lions 5/10 | (-5.5) 9/10
Draw 25/1
Reds 31/20 | (+5.5) 9/10
The Lions can put their disappointing display last week when they host the Reds at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday.
Ivan van Rooyen’s men went down 38-8 in Buenos Aires against a very good Jaguares side. Saturday’s contest in Johannesburg has the potential to give them a great chance at recovering some lost confidence so early in the season.
The Reds played well to be within our points of a win against the Brumbies last time out but may struggle here.
Verdict: Lions (-5.5) @ 9/10
The Pride of Jozi should definitely clear a very modest handicap at home.
Stormers v Bulls
Saturday 8 February
DHL Newlands
17:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Stormers 3/10 | (-9.5) 9/10
Draw 25/1
Bulls 5/2 | (+9.5) 9/10
The Stormers can make another big statement of intent by defeating the Bulls at DHL Newlands on Saturday.
The Capetonians blew the Hurricanes away in a riveting 27-0-win last week. While the scoreline may not be as emphatic here, they should still go big.
The Bulls were guilty of missing chances and making plenty of handling errors last week against the Sharks. If they don’t shake off their rustiness, not even the boot of Morne Steyn will save them on Saturday.
Verdict: Stormers (-9.5) @ 9/10
If the Stormers were half as good as they were last week, they should take this by more than 10.
Jaguares v Hurricanes
Sunday 9 February
Estadio Jose Amalfitani
01:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Jaguares 5/10 | (-5.5) 9/10
Draw 25/1
Hurricanes 31/20 | (+5.5) 9/10
The Jaguares should follow up last week’s fantastic performance with a win when they host an out of sorts Hurricanes outfit at the Estadio Jose Amalfitani on Sunday.
The South Americans thumped the Lions 38-8 last Sunday through their typical brand of flary footy. They will hope for much of the same here.
The Hurricanes, so poor against the Stormers last week, shouldn’t have it in them to cause an upset here.
Verdict:Jaguares (-5.5) @ 9/10
The hosts will take it by a fair margin and certainly clear the handicap.
