Super Rugby Aotearoa returns this week as the Crusaders play host to the Chiefs on Saturday before the Blues and Highlanders lock horns on Sunday.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports.
The Chiefs and Highlanders will be looking to pull off upsets when they take on the tournament’s big guns this weekend in the form of the Crusaders and Blues. The men from Waikato are first up to attempt to upset the applecart as they take on the Crusaders in Canterbury on Saturday. It’s then over to Auckland for the next fixture which will see Highlanders tackle a heavily favoured Blues outfit at Eden Park.
Crusaders v ChiefsSaturday 13 March
Oragnetheory Stadium
To Win (80 Mins)Crusaders 1/7
Draw 33/1
Chiefs 5/1
Handicap
Crusaders (-15.5) 9/10
Chiefs (+15.5) 9/10
Who says the ‘Saders start seasons slowly? Two games in and the reigning champions have already laid down a marker by following up their 13-26 opening-round win over the Highlanders by beating the Hurricanes 33-16 this past Sunday.
The Chiefs, on the other hand, head into this one off the back of a 23-39 drumming at the hands of the Highlanders. They will be exceedingly disappointed with that result considering they went into the half-time break 20-11 points to the good.
Both teams have a few injury worries headed into this one. Richie Mou’unga, who came into last week’s clash against the Hurricanes with a heavily strapped left leg, looked to aggravate an injury during the Round 2 fixture, while prop Daniel Lienert-Brown suffered a rather nasty looking arm injury against the Highlanders.
Verdict: Chiefs (+15.5) 9/10While the Chiefs struggled last week they did show some flashes of brilliance. I can see them managing to stay inside what is a massive handicap this weekend.
Blues v HighlandersSunday 14 March
Eden Park
To Win (80 Mins)Blues 7/20
Draw 28/1
Highlanders 22/10
Handicap
Blues (-7.5) 9/10
Highlanders (+7.5) 9/10
The round comes to a close out in Auckland where the Blues will be looking to bag their second win of the campaign after beating the Hurricanes 16-31 in Round 1 before enjoying a bye week this past weekend.
The Highlanders have produced a mixed bag so far bouncing back from their 13-26 opening round defeat to the Crusaders by staging a magnificent second-half comeback that saw them beat the Chiefs 23-39. It would be amiss of me not to mention the performance of ‘Landers winger Jona Nareki, who bagged a hat-trick and was the driving force behind his side’s second-half revival.
When these two sides met last year the Blues won the fixture at Auckland 27-24 and the second fixture 21-32.
Verdict: Blues (-7.5) 9/10I reckon we’re in for a cracker here and we could see a massive combined score. As such, a lot of my funds will be invested in the Live In-Play Overs points markets. I’ll also be having a crack on the Blues to clear the handicap.
Written by Darry Worthington.
