We're still waiting for our first cross-conference match as we head into round 8. This weekend's headline ties see the Hurricanes host the Crusaders and the Chiefs face the Blues.
Red was the theme last weekend with no fewer than five red cards dished out in round 7.
The number of cards dished out is likely to have a knock-on effect in Round 8 with a number of players suspended and referees under pressure to keep the discipline.
That will be easier said than done, however, as there are some big derby games this weekend with the highlights seeing the Crusaders take on the Hurricanes and the Chiefs and Blues square off.
Friday 8 April
Highlanders 1/20 | Draw 35/1 | Moana Pasifika 8/1 (09:05)
Handicap
Highlanders (-20.5) 9/10 | Moana Pasifika (+20.5) 9/10
We kick things off with a clash between a desperate Highlanders outfit and a Moana Pasifika side that suffered back to back defeats at the hands of the Auckland Blues.
Still winless and headed into Round 8, the Highlanders really need to start bagging points if they are to make a run at this year’s play-offs. They were actually desperately unlucky not to beat the Crusaders last weekend, breaking the Cantabrians’ line on multiple occasions in the final 10 minutes. They, however, saw promising situations come to nought as the Crusader’s scramble defence kept them at bay and ensured the game ended 17-14 in favour of Scott Robertson’s boys.
Moana Pasifika also had a rather tough time last week going down 32-19 to the Blues last Thursday and then 46-16 to the same opponents on Saturday. These back to back defeats have taken the gloss off their Round 5 victory over the Hurricanes and the new boys will need to up their game here if they are to be considered as making progress.
They’ve had a poor week but Moana Pasifika have been able to mix it with the big boys this season and I can see them doing that here and remaining within a pretty big handicap.
Force 7/20 | Draw 22/1 | Rebels 22/10 (11:45)
Handicap
Force (-7.5) 9/10 | Rebels (+7.5) 9/10
It’s over to Australia for our next instalment which sees the Force take on the Rebels in Perth. Both teams sit mid-table on the overall standings but need to bag some points in the final few rounds of Australia Conference games as they are both likely to have a real tough time of it against the New Zealand sides.
Both sides were on a bye last week with their latest outings coming in Round 6 where the Rebels beat the Drua 42-27 and the Force went down 38-39 to the Brumbies in by far and away the most entertaining game that has been played in the Australian Conference thus far.
The Rebels were absolutely dreadful the last time these two sides met as they went down 3-28. They have come a long way since that limp performance and I fully expect them to give the Force a run for their money here. Back the Rebels on the plus here.
Saturday 9 April
Hurricanes 24/10 | Draw 22/1 | Crusaders (06:35)
Handicap
Hurricanes (+8.5) 9/10 | Crusaders (-8.5) 9/10
We kick Saturday off in style with a big-ticket fixture between the luckless Hurricanes and the New Zealand Conference pace setters, the Crusaders.
The hosts head into this one off the back of yet another narrow defeat as they went down 29-30 to the Chiefs this past Saturday with a late charge from the ‘Canes just not enough to get them over the line.
The Crusaders also had a tough time of it last weekend but managed to come out on the correct side of a narrow scoreline as they edged the Highlanders 14-17. Their victory came at a cost, however, as young reserve hooker Shilo Klein copped a three-week ban for a horror cleanout late in the fixture.
I reckon this will be a tight old affair. The Cane’s staged a late comeback attempt against the Crusaders when the sides met earlier in the season and the men from Wellington have maintained that never say die attitude. I reckon they’ll run the Crusaders close again. Get on the plus.
Chiefs 17/20 | Draw 20/1 | Blues 1/1 (09:05)
Keeping with early Saturday’s all Kiwi theme and our next clash sees the Chiefs take on the Blues in Waikato.
Both sides head into this one off the back of wins with the chiefs managing to stave off a late onslaught from the Hurricanes to claim a one-point win in Wellington while the Blues complete their double over Moana Pasifika in less than five days as they beat the new boys 46-16.
In terms of team news, we’re likely to see a slew of changes for both sides with Josh Ioane a doubt for the Chiefs while Caleb Clarke will return after his suspension for the Aucklanders.
The Blues have given a number of young guns a start here and while the likes of Anton Segner did impress against Moana Pasifika last Tuesday, reckon this is a massive gamble and one that will backfire.
Drua 13/2 | Draw 33/1 | Brumbies 1/12 (11:45)
Handicap
Drua (+17.5) 9/10 | Brumbies (-17.5) 9/10
Proceedings will come to close out in Brisbane where the Fijian Drua will look to arrest a poor run of form when they take on a Brumbies side who suffered their first defeat of the season last weekend.
The Drua head into this one off fourth loss on the trot with their latest defeat seeing them go down 14-38 to the Waratahs. What will be of major concern for the Drua will be how their lineout and maul defence have been exposed in recent weeks.
The Brumbies will be eagerly anticipating this fixture as it offers them the perfect opportunity to bounce back after their 21-7 defeat to the Reds. While the Drua are capable of turning on the magic on the counter, their soft lineout and scrum deficiencies should play right into the hands of the wounded Brumbies.
The Brumbies hammered the Drua when these sides met for the first time and can’t see things getting better for them here. Get on the Brumbies to clear the handicap here.
