The are five fixtures lined up for this weekend’s Super Rugby Saturday fixtures.
Crusaders v Rebels
09h35
Christchurch Stadium
To Win
Crusaders 1/12
Draw 35/1
Rebels 6/1
Handicap
Crusaders (-18.5) 9/10
Rebels (+18.5) 9/10
The Crusaders should get back to winning ways when they host the Rebels at Christchurch Stadium on Saturday.
Both sides have been rather off the boil in recent rounds with the hosts losing one and drawing two of their last five, with the Rebels going down in five of their last seven.
Verdict: Crusaders (-18.5) 9/10
That said, the Kiwis should take the win after their loss to the Chiefs in Fiji last week. The Rebels’ inconsistency is beginning to hamper their chances at qualifying for the playoffs, and unfortunately for them it doesn’t look likely to end on Saturday.
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Waratahs v Brumbies
11h45
Bankwest Stadium
To Win
Waratahs 1/1
Draw 25/1
Brumbies 8/10
The Brumbies could potentially wrap up the Australia conference title with a win over the Waratahs at the Bankwest Stadium on Saturday.
Depending on the result of the Rebels’ fixture earlier in the day, the men from Canberra can all but claim top spot on the conference with a solid display over the Tahs.
Verdict: Brumbies 8/10
The hosts, though, will look to bring them down a peg or two following their 19-13 loss in March. It should be a close one, but the visitors – with arguably more to play for – should come away with the spoils.
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Lions v Hurricanes
15h05
Emirates Airline Park
To Win
Lions 13/10
Draw 25/1
Hurricanes 6/10
Handicap
Lions (+3.5) 9/10
Hurricanes (-3.5) 9/10
The Hurricanes should just be too strong for the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.
The men from Wellington claimed a comfortable 30-17 win over the Sharks in Durban last week for a sixth victory in seven matches. With a wild card berth all but secure, they will target this week’s game as a means to guarantee safe passage to the playoffs.
Verdict: Hurricanes (-3.5) 9/10
The Lions were good in their 41-22 win over the Stormers last Saturday but will be hard-pressed to beat such a talented Canes side. They will push the Kiwis close but should ultimately just fall short.
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Stormers v Sunwolves
17h15
DHL Newlands
To Win
Stormers 1/33
Draw 30/1
Sunwovles 10/1
Handicap
Stormers (-24.5) 9/10
Sunwolves (+24.5) 9/10
A win over the Sunwolves in Cape Town on Saturday could see the Stormers sneak their way into playoff contention.
Despite their loss to the Lions last week, Robbie Fleck’s men still have an outside shot of making the playoff grade. A victory at Newlands, coupled with a Sharks loss in Buenos Aires later in the day, will see them leapfrog the Durbanites into fourth spot on the SA conference.
Stormers (-24.5) 9/10
With a home clash against the Sharks set to end off their regular season, the Stormers should have the capacity to get the job done this week despite their injury concerns.
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Jaguares v Sharks
21h40
Estadio Jose Amalfitani
To Win
Jagaures 7/20
Draw 25/1
Sharks 22/10
Handicap
Jaguares (-7.5) 9/10
Sharks (+7.5) 9/10
The red hot Jaguares look unlikely to slip up to the Sharks at the Estadio Amalfitani on Saturday.
The Argentines could win the SA conference with a positive result over the Sharks on Saturday and may even host a semi-final with victory in their final round robin clash with the Sunwolves next week.
While the Jaguares have won seven of their last eight, including a 51-17 thrashing of the Sharks in April, the men from the land of sugar cane have managed just three in that time. Defeat for Rob du Preez’s charges will see them slip outside of a wild card berth with a trip to Cape Town still to come.
Verdict: Jaguares (-7.5) 9/10
The hosts should claim a narrow win all the same as they prepare for the business end of the competition.
