Super Rugby continues this weekend with a few more teams sitting out for a bye round. The pick of the action sees the Hurricanes host the Chiefs while the Waratahs will be aiming for an unlikely double over the Crusaders.
Friday 12 April
Moana Pasifika 5/1 | Draw 33/1 | Reds 1/8 (09:05)
Handicap
Moana Pasifika (+15.5) 9/10 | Reds (-15.5) 9/10
We kick things off in Whangarei where a Moana Pasifika side, fresh off the back of a pasting at the hands of the Chiefs, will take on Reds outfit who enjoyed a bye last week.
Moana have really struggled in recent weeks, losing their last three games by 39 points or more. And while they are still in the hunt for a play-off berth, they desperately need to sort out their defensive issues which were evident last weekend as they shipped ten tries in their 68-12 defeat to the Chiefs.
While Moana Pasifika were getting routed by Kiwi opposition, the Reds had their feet up. The break came just at the right time for Les Kiss’ men, who had gone down 40-31 to the Force and 19-20 to the Brumbies prior to their week’s break.
Verdict: Reds (-15.5) 9/10
The Queenslanders need a result here and I reckon they’ll deliver against a Moana Pasifika side that has well and truly run out of steam.
Waratahs 3/1 | Draw 25/1 | Crusaders 1/4 (11:35)
Handicap
Waratahs (+10.5) 9/10 | Crusaders (-10.5) 9/10
We’re in Australia for our next fixture which will see the Crusaders look to inflict a spot of revenge against a Waratahs side that beat them 37-24 earlier in the season.
The hosts have lost all their fixtures since that win over the ‘Saders but are still in the hunt for a play-off spot due to their penchant for picking up losing bonus points. The men from New South Wales’ latest defeat came last weekend when they went down 40-16 away to the Brumbies.
Having managed to keep their domestic foes quiet for the majority of the first half, a try just before half-time would see the floodgates open with the ‘Tahs conceding 24 points in the second stanza.
The Crusaders were one of the other sides that enjoyed a bye week in Round 7. It arguably came at the worst possible time for the men from Canterbury as they had registered their first win of the season the week prior beating the Chiefs 37-26.
Verdict: Crusaders (-10.5) 9/10
I fancy the ‘Saders to claim the win here. While their momentum was interrupted somewhat due to the week’s break, they will still take a lot of confidence from their Round 6 win over their domestic foes.
Saturday 13 April
Hurricanes 11/10 | Draw 18/1 | Chiefs 8/10 (09:05)
Handicap
Hurricanes (+1.5) 9/10 | Chiefs (-1.5) 9/10
The pick of the round’s action sees the only remaining undefeated side in the comp, the Hurricanes, play host to the Chiefs. The Hurricanes currently lie second of the log but are only four points ahead of the fourth-placed Chiefs.
While the hosts for Saturday’s encounter enjoyed a bye week in Round 7, the Chiefs were out there strutting their stuff as they hammered Moana Pasifika 68-12. Damien McKenzie’s return in the ten jumper predictable galvanised the side with the main beneficiary of the All Black’s attacking masterclass being his fellow AB winger Emoni Narawa, who grabbed a hat-trick during the big win.
They may have been off this past weekend but the ‘Canes do carry good form into this one having hammered the Highlanders 12-47 in Round 6 and the Rebels 54-28 in Round 6.
Verdict: Hurricanes (+1.5) 9/10
Scott Robertson and his All Blacks coaching team will be watching this one closely with a number of All Blacks squaring off here. It should be an absolute cracker of a game despite rain being forecast to hit Wellington this weekend.
I reckon this one will be as tight as they come, but I reckon the ‘Canes could sneak it. I’ll take the Wellington franchise on the (+1.5) handicap for a bit of security, though.
Rebels 14/10 | Draw 20/1 | Highlanders 6/10 (11:35)
Handicap
Rebels (+3.5) 9/10 | Highlanders (-3.5) 9/10
The Round 8 action comes to a close in Melbourne where the Rebels and Highlanders will look to push their respective play-off claims.
The hosts have hit a rich vein of form registering two wins over the past fortnight. The first of these victories came from a late comeback when they beat the Waratahs 21-27 in Round 6. They followed that win up with a mature showing against the Drua last weekend as they beat the Fijians 41-20. And while the Drua’s discipline was notably poor in that game, the Rebels showed some very tidy game management to keep their opponents at arm’s length for the majority of the fixture.
The Highlanders were another side who enjoyed a bye week in Round 7 and the break came at just the right time for the men from Dunedin who are currently on a three-game losing streak with their latest defeat being a 12-47 Round 6 loss at the hands of local rivals, the Hurricanes.
Verdict: Highlanders 6/10
The Kiwi outfit has played some good rugby this term and I reckon they’ll bag the win here.
