Shaun Goosen takes a look at Saturday’s and Sunday’s round three Super Rugby fixtures, with the Sharks’ Saturday morning fixture against the Hurricanes at the Westpac Stadium probably the pick of the bunch.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports.
Saturday 15 February
Sunwolves v Chiefs
Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium
05h45
To Win (80 mins)
Sunwolves 15/2
Draw 30/1
Chiefs 1/16
Handicap
Sunwolves (+20.5) 9/10
Chiefs (-20.5) 9/10
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| Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports. |
The Sunwolves will be up against it when the Chiefs visit the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
The hosts may have started the campaign brightly enough, picking up a 36-27 win over the Rebels in Round 1 before their bye last week, but Warren Gatland’s side seem to be picking up a good head of steam early on.
A 37-29 comeback win over the Blues, coupled with last week’s powerful 25-15 win over the Crusaders makes them one of the teams to beat so far. They shouldn’t falter this weekend.
Verdict: Sunwolves (+20.5)
An improving Chiefs outfit should prove too hot for the plucky Sunwolves, however, the Japanese franchise should be good enough to stay within the biggest handicap of the weekend.
Hurricanes v Sharks
Westpac Stadium
08h05
To Win (80 mins)
Hurricanes 9/20
Draw 25/1
Sharks 17/10
Handicap
Hurricanes (-5.5) 9/10
Sharks (+5.5) 9/10
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| Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports |
The Hurricanes should pick up their second win of the tournament when they host the Sharks at the Westpac Stadium on Saturday.
Despite putting in a feeble effort in their opener in Cape Town, they bounced back well to earn a big 23-26 win over the Jaguares in Buenos Aires. Playing at home for the first time, they should be confident of adding to their win tally.
As good as the Sharks were last week in their 20-42 thrashing of the Highlanders, the Hurricanes will pose a different challenge. The Durbanites will definitely back themselves to go for the W, and shouldn’t be too far away, but may ultimately fall short.
Verdict: Hurricanes (-5.5) 9/10
The Canes should do just about enough to deny the visitors a bonus-point.
Brumbies v Highlanders
GIO Stadium
10h15
To Win (80 mins)
Brumbies 9/20
Draw 25/1
Highlanders 17/10
Handicap
Brumbies (-7.5) 9/10
Highlanders (+7.5) 9/10
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| Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports. |
The Brumbies will be going for their third consecutive win when they host the Highlanders at the GIO Stadium on Saturday.
The men from Canberra have claimed the scalps of fellow Aussie sides the Reds and Rebels so far and can add a Kiwi outfit to that list this weekend. Playing at home for the third time in as many weeks has allowed them to gain plenty of momentum, something which they will look to take into Saturday’s clash.
The Landers were blown away by the Sharks at home in their opener last week and will need to bounce back strongly here.
Verdict: Highlanders (+7.5)
The Landers will be improved and should claim a losing bonus-point at the very least.
Lions v Stormers
Emirates Airline Park
15h05
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| Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports. |
To Win (80 mins)
Lions 2/1
Draw 20/1
Stormers 4/10
Handicap
Lions (+8.5) 9/10
Stormers (-8.5) 9/10
The Lions may struggle to impose themselves on a dominant Stormers outfit at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday.
Ivan van Rooyen’s charges were outmuscled at scrum time against the Reds last week and managed to sneak home 27-20. They will need to improve in this department, and fast, while also shoring up a defence that conceded two very soft scores against the Queenslanders.
The Stormers, two from two, will back themselves to end their recent drought in Johannesburg and pick up yet another win.
Verdict: Stormers by seven
The Lions may just about do enough to claim a bonus-point.
Sunday 16 February
Jaguares v Reds
Stade Amalfitani
01h00
To Win (80 mins)
Jaguares 1/6
Draw 30/1
Reds 4/1
Handicap
Jaguares (-12.5) 9/10
Reds (+12.5) 9/10
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| Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports |
The Jaguares should get back to winning ways when they host the Reds at the Stade Amalfitani on Sunday.
The hosts scored a big win over the Lions in Round 1 before suffering a narrow loss to the Hurricanes last week. They will look to make amends here before they depart for their South African tour.
The Reds are unlucky to be zero from two. Narrow away losses to both the Brumbies and Lions sees them floundering near the bottom of the standings despite having claimed two losing bonus-points.
Verdict: Jaguares by 12
The South Americans should win comfortably enough here without clearing the 12.5-point handicap.
Check out our Friday preview here.
