The Super Rugby Aotearoa season is really starting to heat up with upsets aplenty over the past fortnight. The log is looking tight with every side, bar the Hurricanes, still in with a chance of making the final.
Chiefs v Hurricanes
Friday 23 April
FMG Stadium
09:05
To Win (80 Mins)
Chiefs 11/20
Draw 22/1
Hurricanes 15/10
Handicap * to be added upon release
Chiefs (-7.5) 9/10
Hurricanes (+7.5) 9/10
We open things up with a clash between a bang in-form Chiefs side and a Hurricanes outfit who have been extremely hit and miss and are out of the running for a spot in the final. The Chiefs, on the other hand, are well in the hunt and currently occupy second spot on the standings.
The Chiefs really have been in great touch over the past month or so winning their last four fixtures on the trot. They come into this off arguably their most impressive performance of the season, which saw them beat the Crusaders 26-25 this past Sunday.
While the Chiefs were getting one over the reigning champions, the Hurricanes were watching it all unfold from the comfort of their couches as they enjoyed a bye last weekend. Prior to their break, the ‘Canes went down 27-30 to the Crusaders in a game that needed extra time to settle things between the two sides.
When the teams met earlier in the season it was the Chiefs who came out on top as they staged a come from behind victory, running out 29-35 victors in Wellington.
Verdict: Chiefs 11/20
I expect this game to be really open with both sides really strong on attack and porous on defence. My money is on the Chiefs taking the spoils in a game that produces a load of points.
Crusaders v Blues
Sunday 25 April
Eden Park
05:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Crusaders 4/10
Draw 22/1
Blues 2/1
Handicap * to be added upon release
Crusaders (-7.5) 9/10
Blues (+7.5) 9/10
It’s over to Sunday’s Super Rugby Aotearoa action now which will see the Crusaders and Blues square off in Canterbury. This game is of vital importance to both sides as the win would guarantee the Crusaders top spot on the log, while the Blues will need the win to keep in touch with the Chiefs should the men from Waikato beat the ‘Canes on Friday.
In terms of recent form, the Crusaders have been rather inconsistent which is not a term you associate with the men from Canterbury. They have lost two of their last three games and needed extra time to get a win over the cellar-dwelling Hurricanes. One of those three defeats came last weekend where they went down 26-25 to the Chiefs.
The Blues have also been blighted by inconsistency in recent weeks losing three of their last four matches. Like the Crusaders, they also lost last weekend going down 35-29 to the Highlanders.
We witnessed a high scorer when the sides met in Auckland earlier in the season with the Crusaders running out 27-43 victors.
Verdict: Blues (+)
While I think the Crusaders will be able to bag a win, I don’t think it will be by much. As such, I’m all over the Blues on the plus handicap.
