The Super Rugby action continues this weekend, with five games taking place on Saturday the 2nd of March.
There’s another massive Super Rugby Saturday in store for fans of the oval ball game with five fixtures set to go down. Two of the aforementioned fixtures will be South African derbies with the Lions and Bulls squaring off in a trans-Jukskei clash and the Sharks and Stormers going-head-to-head in a clash for coastal dominance.
Chiefs v Sunwolves
FMG Stadium Waikato
08:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Chiefs 1/25
Draw 35/1
Sunwolves 9/1
Handicap
Chiefs (+22.5) 9/10
Sunwolves (-22.5) 9/10
*Forecast handicap
A wounded Chiefs side will be looking to bounce back from their drubbing at the hands of the Brumbies when they take on the winless Sunwolves in Saturday’s opener.
The hosts were outclassed by their Australian counterparts last Saturday, going down 54-17 in Canberra. To make matters worse, the Chiefs had most of their All Blacks available for this one with the returning Damien McKenzie and talismanic lock Brodie Rettalick having little influence on the fixture.
The Sunwolves also head into this one off the back of a defeat, although their coaching staff will be far more pleased with their 30-31 loss to the Waratahs than the Chiefs brain trust will be with their side’s showing. The ‘Wolves actually played some very good rugby last weekend and had it not been for some poor decision making, they may well have caused an upset.
Verdict: Chiefs (-22.5) 9/10 *Forecast handicap
This really is a big handicap but I’m expecting a really big response from a Chiefs side that will be looking to make lay down a marker. I can see a late second-half blitz seeing the hosts past the ‘cap.
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Reds v Crusaders
Suncorp Stadium
10:45
To Win (80 Mins)
Reds 5/1
Draw 35/1
Crusaders 1/8
Handicap
Reds (+15.5) 9/10
Crusaders (-15.5) 9/10
*Forecast Odds
The Reds will be looking to build on their magnificent showing against the Highlanders when they take on the reigning champions, the Canterbury Crusaders, in Saturday’s second fixture.
The Queenslanders were brutally unlucky to go down to the Highlanders last Friday, with a late try from substitute Dillon Hunt seeing the New Zealand franchise edge it 36-31. While coach, Brad Thorn, will be disappointed with the loss, he will be pleased with the performance of his young side, and in particular 18-year-old centre Jordan Petaia, who had an absolute blinder.
While the Reds endured a Round 2 defeat, the Crusaders bagged their second win of the campaign as they beat a weakened Hurricanes side 38-22. Scott Robertson’s side put in an absolute masterclass in the first-half but the ‘Saders mentor won’t be too pleased in the soft tries his side conceded late in the second half, which cost them a try-scoring bonus point.
Verdict: Reds (+15.5) 9/10*Forecast handicap
This is a rather large handicap to clear. The Reds should be able to give the Crusaders a run here, and I can see the Queenslanders keeping the losing margin within two converted tries.
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Lions v Bulls
Emirates Airline Park
15:05
To Win (80 Mins)
Lions 9/20
Draw 25/1
Bulls 18/10
Handicap
Lions (-6.5) 9/10
Bulls (+6.5) 9/10
*Forecast Handicaps
Our next fixture of the day is the first of the two South African derbies and will see the Lions take on the Bulls in what should be a cracking trans-Jukskei derby.
Both teams head into this one off the back of disappointing defeats with the Bulls going down 27-12 to the Jaguares and the Lions blowing a big lead against the Stormers to go down 19-17 at Newlands.
While the Lions know they only have themselves to blame after their dramatic defeat to the Stormers – the Cape-based franchise won the game in the 85th minute – questions will be asked over some of the refereeing decisions make by Egon Seconds in the second-half.
The Lions were also dealt a heavy blow last weekend, with inspirational captain Warren Whitely sustaining what looks to be a long term injury.
Verdict: Bulls (+6.5) 9/10 *Forecast Handicap
The loss of Whiteley is a hammer blow for the Lions. The lanky number eight is truly the heart and soul of this team, and I can see the Lions struggling without him. While I’m tempted to back the Bulls on the straight win, I’m a bit wary as they have just made a long haul trip back from Argentina. As such, I’m going to play it safe and back them on the plus.
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Sharks v Stormers
Kings Park Stadium
17:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Sharks 9/20
Draw 25/1
Stormers 18/10
*Forecast Odds
Handicap
Sharks (-4.5) 9/10
Stormers (+4.5) 9/10
*Forecast Handicap
The high-flying Sharks will be looking to make it three from three when they play host to the South African Conference’s last-placed side, the Stormers. The Natalians secured their second consecutive bonus point win last Saturday as they beat a solid Blues side 26-7 down in Durban. It was a highly impressive display from this young Natalian outfit who were clinical on attack and defended like Trojans.
The Stormers, while not as impressive as their coastal rivals, also managed to register a win in Round 2 as a try in the 85th minute from substitute scrum-half Herschel Janjties, saw them steal a 19-17 victory over the Lions. The men from the Cape will have to be far more astute with ball-in-hand this weekend if they are to upset the Sharks.
Verdict: Sharks (-4.5) 9/10 *Forecast Handicap
The hosts really are in fine form and I can see them giving the Stormers a hard time in Durban. My money is on the Natalians winning this one by more than a converted try.
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Jaguares v Blues
Estadio Jose Amalfitani
23:40
To Win (80 Mins)
Jaguares 8/10
Draw 25/1
Blues 21/20
Handicap
Jaguares
Blues
*Odds to be added upon release
The Blues will be looking to register their first win of the campaign when they take on the Jaguares out in Argentina in Round 3’s final fixture. The visitors were unable to bounce back from their opening round defeat to the Crusaders as they went down 26-7 to the Sharks last Saturday.
The men from Auckland spurned loads of try-scoring chances and will have gotten a right rollicking from new head coach Leon McDonald, who will be exceedingly disappointed in his sides inability to execute while deep in their opponents 22.
The Jaguares enjoyed a far better time of it in Round 2 as they bounced back from their opening round defeat to the Lions by beating the Bulls 27-12.
Verdict: Blues (+) 9/10*Forecast handicap
I’m expecting a far more composed showing from the Blues this time around. They were guilty of panicking while in the Sharks 22 last weekend, and I can’t see them doing that again here. My money is on the visitors keeping it within a narrow plus line.
Written by Darry Worthington for Hollywoodbets
