Well, Round 2 of Super Rugby Pacific did not disappoint with the Hurricanes come from behind victory over the Blues the pick of the ties. Here's hoping Round 3 throws up something similar!
Friday 5 March
Moana Pasifika 20/1 | Draw 40/1 | Crusaders N/A
Handicap
Moana Pasifika (+43.5) 9/10 | Crusaders (-43.5) 9/10
Moana Pasifika will finally make their long-awaited Super Rugby debut with their squad now having recovered from the COVID outbreak that saw them miss out on the first two rounds. They have been given a horrid assignment first up with a fixture against the most successful team in Super Rugby history, the Crusaders.
To make matters worse for Moana Pasifika, they’re catching the Crusaders in good form with Scott Robertson’s men enjoying a fast start to the comp by beating the Hurricanes 42-32 and the Highlanders 19-34. And, to just make things a bit tougher for the new boys, the Crusaders are also able to call on All Blacks Richie Mo’unga and Codie Talyor this weekend.
The ‘Saders left it late to clear the ‘cap last weekend but I highly doubt it will be a similar story here. Moana Pasificka were hammered 61-7 by the Chiefs in pre-season and I expect another thumping for the new boys. Get on the (-43.5) çap at 9/10.
Drua 5/1 | Draw 28/1 | Rebels 1/7 (11:45)
Handicap
Drua (+13.5) 9/10 | Rebels (-13.5) 9/10
The Drua will be looking to avoid another heavy defeat when they take on a Rebels side they beat 28-26 during pre-season. The men from Fiji have found the going tough since then, however, losing 40-10 to the Waratahs in Round 1 and then going down 42-3 to the Brumbies this past weekend.
The Rebels have also endured a poor start to the campaign. They started their inaugural Super Rugby Pasifika campaign with a 23-5 loss to the Reds and suffered another defeat this past weekend going down 28-5 to the Force in Melbourne.
The Rebels have looked awful on attack and are just so devoid of ideas. I fancy the Drua, who may be leaky defensively but look more threatening with ball-in-hand, to at least keep it within the handicap if not take the win. I’ll be taking the Drua to win on the board.
Force 13/10 | Draw 22/1 | Reds 13/20 (13:00)
Handicap
Force (+2.5) 9/10 | Reds (-2.5) 9/10
We remain in Australia for Friday’s final fixture which sees two sides that have impressed thus far square off.
The Force were desperately unlucky to not cause a massive shock in Round 1 with a late try seeing the Brumbies stave off the determined Perth outfit. They didn’t let that defeat get them down, however, as they came out firing in the next round and secured a try-scoring bonus point in their 28-3 win over the Rebels.
The Reds have had a bit of a stuttering start and haven’t been as eye-catching as they were in 2021 but they’ve still managed two solid wins beating the Rebels 23-5 and then coming out on top 16-20 to the Waratahs in a Round 2 slugfest.
The battle between veteran Reds pivot James O’Connor and Force young gun Reesjan Pasitoa should make for compelling viewing. I think Pastoa will cause the reds all sorts of problems and this one should be a narrow run thing. I reckon the Force will stay within the cap here and might even sneak the win.
Saturday 5 March
Blues 11/20 | Draw 20/1 | Chiefs 15/10 (05:35)
Handicap
Blues (-4.5) 9/10 | Chiefs (+4.5) 9/10
We open Saturday’s proceedings up over in New Zealand where the Blues and Chiefs will lock horns in what could well be yet another classic Kiwi derby.
The hosts were on the wrong end of an amazing game as they let an 18-point lead slip in the final nine minutes to go down 32-33 to the Hurricanes. And while there were some highly impressive attacking displays from Aucklanders, you do feel that Leon McDonald will be left worried about defensive frailties after the defeat.
While the Blues were suffering a bitter defeat to the ‘Canes, the Chiefs had their feet up as their game against Moana Pasifika was called off due to COVID. The men from Waikato have enjoyed a solid enough start to the season beating the Highlanders 26-16 in Round 1.
I feel the Aucklanders will bounce back here. There were some defensive errors that are easily rectified – both on an individual and team note – and if they can sort those out then they should be able to see off a solid but far from spectacular Chiefs outfit.
Hurricanes 7/20 | Draw 25/1 | Highlanders 22/10 (08:05)
Handicap
Hurricanes (-7.5) 9/10 | Highlanders (+7.5) 9/10
The penultimate game of the weekend sees the free-flowing Hurricanes take on the winless Highlanders.
The ‘Canes were well rewarded for their attacking endeavour and never say die attitude this past weekend as a 79th minute try from Ardie Savea saw them pip the Blues to the post. The win was much-needed after a similar attempt at a comeback against the Crusaders in Round 1 saw them fall short as they went down 32-42 despite a late flurry of tries.
While the Canes have been the comeback kings early doors in the season, the Highlanders have been guilty of letting leads slip and were first to score against both the Crusaders and Chiefs but ultimately lost those games 19-34 and 26-16.
That win over the Blues would have done so much for the Hurricanes’ confidence. I can see them having made it two successive victories when the final whistle goes here.
Brumbies 4/10 | Draw 22/1 | Waratahs 2/1 (11:45)
Handicap
Brumbies (-6.5) 9/10 | Waratahs (+6.5) 9/10
The round comes to a close out in Canberra where traditional Australian rugby powerhouses the Brumbies and Waratahs face off. The hosts have enjoyed a solid start to the campaign beating the Force 29-23 in Round 1 and the Drua rampant in Round 2 beating the Fijian side 42-3.
The Tahs, while not having a flawless record like their opponents, have also impressed as they racked up a solid score against the Drua in Round one running out 40-10 victors while they were agonisingly close to beating the Reds last weekend as they went down 16-20 to the Super rugby AU champions.
I expect a very close game here with the Waratahs looking a lot more of a force than they did in 2021. As such, I’m on the ‘Tahs plus.
