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Super Rugby Aotearoa: Round 4 Preview


Darry Worthington takes a look at the two Round 4 Super Rugby games, which get underway on Friday, 26 March. 

Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

The Super Rugby Aotearoa action continues this week with the Highlanders taking on the Hurricanes and the Blues tackling the Chiefs. With the log-leading Crusaders on a bye week, these fixtures will be of vital importance as sides look to close the gap on the reigning champions. 
Highlanders v Hurricanes

Friday 26 March
Forsyth Barr

08:05


To Win (80 Mins)
Highlanders 6/10

Draw 22/1

Hurricanes 27/20

Handicap

Highlanders (-4.5) 9/10

Hurricanes (+4.5) 9/10

We kick things off in Dunedin where the Highlanders play host to the Hurricanes. Both teams have endured tough old starts to their campaigns with the Highlanders only winning one of their three fixtures while the Hurricanes are yet to win a game. 

The hosts two defeats have come at the hands of the Crusaders (13-26) and the Blues (39-17), while they registered a magnificent come from behind 23-29 win over the Chiefs between their two defeats. 

While the Highlanders will be looking to double their win tally for the season, the Hurricanes will be looking to finally get off the mark. Jason Holland’s me have shown glimpses this season but they’re really struggling to string 80-minutes together. There most recent defeat illustrated this fact perfectly as they coughed up a big lead to go down 29-35 to the Chiefs this past weekend. 

Verdict: Hurricanes 6/10

I just have this feeling that the ‘Canes will bounce back this weekend. They played some really sharp rugby last weekend and they just need to tighten up their defence a bit and I reckon they’ll break their duck. 

Jockeys Ride Horses

Chiefs v Blues

Saturday 27 March
FMG Stadium Waikato
08:05
To Win (80 Mins)
Chiefs 16/10

Draw 22/1
Blues 5/10

Handicap

Chiefs (+6.5) 9/10
Blues (-6.5) 9/10

Onto Saturday’s game now and we’re in for a cracker as a Chiefs side that will be high on confidence take on a Blues outfit that will be looking to bounce back from their heavy defeat to the Crusaders. 

The Chiefs finally got their act together last week and managed to bag a six-point win over the Hurricanes. They were absolutely rampant on attack during the second stanza of that fixture will All Black utility back pulling the strings. 

The Blues had a far less productive Round 3 as they were convincingly beaten by a clinical Crusaders outfit going down 27-43 to the reigning champions. We coukd well see a few changes to the Blues this week as they may want to look for a more explosive option at inside centre than the solid but unspectacular Harry Plummer.  

Verdict: Blues 5/10
I fully expect the Blues to bounce back here. The platform is likely to be layed down by their solid forward pack who will likely hold the advantage over the Chiefs tight five. 

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