Darry Worthington previews this weekend's Super Rugby Pacific action when we'll finally get to see how the Australian sides measure up to their Kiwi neighbours.
Super Rugby Pacific goes Trans-Tasman this week with our first set of cross-conference fixtures taking place. Many fans and pundits are predicting easy wins for the Kiwis over their Australian counterparts. Will this prove to be the case or have the Australians learnt from last season’s poor showings in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman?
Keep in mind that Moana Pasifika’s fixture against the Force has been postponed after Covid ripped through the Perth side’s ranks.
Friday 22 April
Chiefs 1/11 | Draw 33/1 | Waratahs 6/1 (10:00)
Handicap
Chiefs (-15.5) 9/10 | Waratahs (+15.5) 9/10
The Chiefs and Waratahs are up first. This one could prove to be one of the ties of the round with both of these sides unafraid to run the ball.
The hosts gave a decent account of themselves during their derby fixtures, winning five of their eight games. One of their aforementioned victories came last weekend where they made short work of Moana Pasifika who they beat 45-12.
The Waratahs had a good time of it against their domestic rivals winning the same number of games as the Chiefs did. They also head into this one off the back of a comfortable win as they beat the Force 24-41 with fullback Alex Newsome catching the eye with two tries.
I’m expecting a boatload of points here so I’ll be having a go on the half time over points and full time over points markets when live betting opens up. I’ll also be having a crack on the Chiefs to sneak past the handicap.
Saturday 23 April
Blues 1/100 | Draw 30/1 | Drua 16/1 (09:05)
Handicap
Blues (-32.5) 9/10 | Draw (+32.5) 9/10
The men from Fiji get their first crack at New Zealand opposition when they take on an Auckland Blues side that has had some incredible Fijians turn out for them in the past.
Auckland’s finest have enjoyed a stellar opening half of the season and currently sit top of the overall and New Zealand Conference having won seven of their eight games, with their only defeat coming at the hands of the Hurricanes way back in Round 2. They have been in fine fettle over the past fortnight as well beating the Chiefs 0-25 and the Crusaders 23-27 this past weekend.
The Drua have endured a far tougher time of it during their debut season and only have one win from their opening eight ties. They have struggled in recent weeks as with their most recent defeat being a 12-33 loss to the Brumbies.
This is another game in which we are likely to see a ton of points scored. My money is on the Blues breezing past the handicap here.
Hurricanes 7/20 | Draw 22/1 | Reds 22/10
Handicap
Hurricanes (-7.5) 9/10 | Reds (+7.5) 9/10
Saturday’s action will come to a close at the Westpac Stadium where the Hurricanes will welcome the overall log’s third-placed side, the Queensland Reds.
The hosts have had a strange old season claiming a number of come from behind wins while also losing games you’d expect them – just cast your mind back to that shock defeat at the hands of Moana Pasifika.
The Reds, on the other hand, were the model of consistency during the first part of the season winning seven of their eight fixtures, with their only defeat coming against the Brumbies.
Both these sides had a decent time of it in the previous round with the Reds edging a spirited Rebels outfit 32-36 while the Canes scraped a 21-22 away win over the Highlanders.
I reckon this should be a tight enough game which is why I’m backing the away side on the plus here.
Sunday 24 April
Highlanders 6/10 | Draw 20/1 | Brumbies 27/20 (06:00)
Handicap
Highlanders (-3.5) 9/10 | Brumbies (+3.5) 9/10
On to Sunday’s double header now and our first fixture of the day sees the Highlanders take on the Brumbies. The two sides have suffered contrasting fortunes thus far with the Highlanders winning only one of their eght games while the the Brumbies have won seven of their eight.
The Highlanders horrid run of luck continued last weekend as they were denied a victory over the ‘Canes as a somewhat controversial call to disallow substitute Saula Ma’u a try after the 80 minutes saw them go down by just a point to the ‘Canes.
While the Highlanders had to swallow a bitter defeat last weekend, the Brumbies enjoyed a bye week. This break came at the ideal time for the Australian outfit as they have now had a fortnight to prepare for their first clash against New Zealand opposition this season.
I reckon the Brumbies could well take this one but I’ll take the cautious route and back them on the plus.
Crusaders 1/100 | Draw 40/1 | Rebels 14/1 (08:30)
Handicap
Crusaders (-26.5) 9/10 | Rebels (+26.5) 9/10
We close things off with a clash between a Crusaders side looking to bounce back from a defeat to the Blues and a Rebels side that gave the Reds a real scare last weekend.
The men from New Zealand suffered their second defeat of the season last weekend as they went down to the Blues in Canterbury for the first time in 15 years. That 23-27 defeat has left many a New Zealand rugby fan wondering whether there is about to be a proper changing of the guard when it comes to the powerhouses of New Zealand’s domestic rugby.
Despite the possibility that the Crusaders may no longer be the best team in New Zealand, the Rebels are still in for a long old day at the office. The Crusaders have an extremely powerful back who are likely to dominate the set-piece while their backs are streaks ahead of the Rebels’ in terms of quality.
They’ll be hurting from last week and I can see the Crusaders bouncing back in style here. Get on the minus.
