Darry Worthington previews the four Super Rugby Round 5 fixtures that are being played on Saturday the 29th of February.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Hurricanes v Sunwolves
Saturday 29 February
Westpac Stadium
05:45
To Win (80 Mins)
Hurricanes 1/100
Draw 30/1
Sunwolves 12/1
Handicap
Hurricanes (-35.5) 9/10
Sunwolves (+35.5) 9/10
We get things underway out in Wellington where the Sunwolves will be looking to bounce back from their heavy defeat to the Reds when they take on a Hurricanes side that will be gunning for a win and a try-scoring bonus point.
The Japanese franchise was absolutely dire last Saturday as they were hammered 64-5 by the Reds. The Wolves offered little on attack and were extremely porous on defence. This heavy defeat was always in the making, however, as they have a threadbare squad with a number of their Japanese internationals involved in the Japanese top tier rather than turning out in Super Rugby.
While the Wolves were getting thrashed by the Reds, the Canes were enjoying a bye week. As such, they’ll come into this one well-rested and raring to go.
Verdict: Hurricanes (-35.5) 9/10
The ‘Wolves looked extremely fatigued last weekend and I reckon they’ll struggle again this weekend. My money is on the hosts running up a monstrous score here and comfortably clearing a rather large handicap.
Reds v Sharks
Saturday 29 February
Suncorp Stadium
11:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Reds 21/20
Draw 22/1
Sharks 8/10
Handicap
Reds (+1.5) 9/10
Sharks (-1.5) 9/10
The Reds will be looking to register their second win of the campaign when they take on a sharks side that has only tasted defeat once in the opening four rounds.
Brad Thorn’s side comes into this one off a highly impressive victory over the Sunwolves that saw them rack up a staggering 64 points while only conceding five. So may point say the scoreboard flattered the Queenslanders, as the Sunwolves were so poor, but this time of performance had been coming with the Reds giving a great account of themselves during the first half of their Round 3 clash with the Jaguares.
While the Reds do come into this one in good knick, the Sharks will provide a very stern test. Shaun Everett’s men have been in really good form this year and are playing an exciting brand of rugby. They also head into this one off the back of a vital 24-36 away win over the Rebels.
Verdict: Sharks 8/10
This is a very interesting game. Both teams are playing some great rugby at the minute and it’s likely to be a very narrow run, although high-scoring, encounter. My main play will be to wait for the live markets to open up and have a crack on the full-time over points spread. If pushed for an ante-post punt, I’d have my money on the Sharks.
Stormers v Blues
Saturday 29 February
DHL Newlands
15:05
To Win (80 Mins)
Stormers 1/3
Draw 25/1
Blues 22/10
Handicap
Stormers (-8.5) 9/10
Blues (+8.5) 9/10
The Stormers will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run in the competition when they take on a Blues side that have a 50% success rate headed to Newlands.
Gary Gold’s charges were made to work hard for their 17-7 victory over the Jags last Saturday. They again struggled to click on attack but their defence was a force to be reckoned with as is illustrated by them only conceding seven points to their opponents. They have been in this type of defensive form all season and have only conceded 37 points at an average of under 10 points per game.
The Blues enjoyed a far more streaky win last weekend as a late Otere Black penalty saw them snatch a 21-23 victory in Pretoria. This was only their second win over the campaign with the other victory coming over the Waratahs in Round 2.
Verdict: Stormers (-8.5) 9/10
The Blues will not be gifted anywhere near the amount of point-scoring opportunities as they were last week. My money is on the Stormers suffocating the lives out of their opponents at the set-piece and racking up a victory in excess of eight points.
Bulls v Jaguares
Saturday 22 February
Loftus Versfeld
17:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Bulls 23/20
Draw 22/1
Jaguares 11/20
Handicap
Bulls (+4.5)
Jagaures (-9.5)
The Bulls face an uphill battle as they go in search of their first win of the campaign against a solid Jaguares side.
The Lads from Loftus have lost their first three fixtures going down 23-18 to the Sharks in Round 1, 13-0 to the Bulls in Round 2 and 21-23 to the Blues last weekend. They have played a very conservative game since the start of the season which is the main reason for their poor start.
The Jaguares have fared much better thus far beating the Lions (38-8) and Reds (43-27) while going down narrowly to the Hurricanes (23-26) in their three home fixtures. Their tour didn’t get off to the greatest of starts last weekend, hower, as they went down 17-7 to the Stormers in Cape Town.
Verdict: Jaguares (-4.5) 9/10
The ‘Jags will be going all out to claim a big win over a Bulls side that is as toothless as a kitten when on the attack. I reckon the visitors will clear the handicap with points to spare.
Written by Darry Worthington for Hollywoodbets.
