Darry Worthington previews the five Round 7 Super Rugby games that are being played on Saturday the 14th of March.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
This Saturday throws up a rather intriguing fixtures list for punters with a number of big guns taking on minnows throughout the day. There’s also some fantastic derby action in store with the undoubted highlight of the day set to be the South African Costal derby between the Sharks and Stormers.
Blues v Lions
Saturday 14 March
Eden Park
05:25
To Win (80 Mins)
Blues 1/8
Draw 30/1
Lions 5/1
Handicap
Blues (-17.5) 9/10
Lions (+17.5) 9/10
The Blues will be looking to build on their shock away victory over the Hurricanes when they take on a Lions side that is enduring a horrific run of form.
The hosts took full advantage of the Hurricanes ill-discipline last weekend to rack up a 15-24 victory over their domestic rivals. This was their fourth victory of the campaign seen them solidify their Wild Card berth on the Overall standings.
The Lions, on the other hand, are really struggling and have only managed to win one game this season. They also head into this off the back of a heavy 37-17 loss to the Rebels.
Verdict: Blues (-17.5) 9/10
I’m not really confident in Blues beating this handicap. They aren’t really a side that produces performances week in and week out. The Lions have been extremely poor, however, which is why I have to lean towards the minus handicap.
Sunwolves v Crusaders
Saturday 14 March
Suncorp Stadium
07:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Sunwolves 20/1
Draw 40/1
Crusaders 1/100
Handicap
Sunwolves (+39.5) 9/10
Crusaders (-39.5) 9/10
The Sunwolves will continue to play out of Australia this week as they lock horns with the Crusaders in Queensland. The ‘Wolves have endured a tough couple of weeks being hammered by the Hurricanes, Reds and Brumbies. They now have the unenviable task of fronting up to the reigning champions.
The Crusaders, while bagging a win last week, have been far from fluent over the past few weeks with a loss to the Chiefs and a very unconvincing 24-20 win over a youthful Reds outfit making one think that there may well be some chinks in the Crusaders’ armour.
Verdict: Crusaders (-39.5) 9/10
While they are fielding a second strength side and head into this one in far from convincing form, I still think the ‘Saders will have enough to clear a very large handicap against an extremely poor Sunwolves side.
Reds v Bulls
Saturday 14 March
Suncorp Stadium
10:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Reds 1/3
Draw 25/1
Bulls 24/10
Handicap
Reds (-8.5) 9/10
Bulls (+8.5) 9/10
The Bulls begin what could well be a rather arduous tour against a Reds side that may not have claimed many victories this term but have played some great rugby.
The visitors managed to bag their first win of the campaign last weekend as they beat a very poor Highlanders side 38-13 at Loftus. This result has seen them move off the foot of the Overall Conference standings.
While the Reds didn’t manage a win last weekend, they did impress against the Crusaders going down by 24-20 out in New Zealand.
Verdict: Reds (-8.5) 9/10
I think the Bulls are going to struggle on the road. They haven’t impressed at home and a flight to Australia will have taken its toll. My money is on the Reds claiming a bonus-point win and clearing the handicap.
Sharks v Stormers
Saturday 14 March
Kings Park
15:05
To Win (80 Mins)
Sharks 5/10
Draw 25/1
Stormers 16/10
Handicap
Sharks (-5.5) 9/10
Stormers (+5.5) 9/10
The in-form Sharks will be looking to put one over their coastal rivals when they square off with the Stormers out in Durban.
Sean Everitt’s men played their first home fixture after an impressive tour of New Zealand, last Saturday, and continued their fine start to the season as they hammered the Jaguares 33-19.
While the Sharks were racking up their fifth win of the campaign, the Stormers had the week off and will have been working on some of the aspects that cost them so dearly in Round 5 where they went down 14-33 to the Blues.
Verdict: Sharks 5/10
While a number of the recent clashes between these two sides have gone the way of whoever was the away team I cannot see that happening this weekend. My money is on the hosts registering a win here.
Jaguares v Highlanders
Saturday 14 March
Estadio Jose Amalifitani
01:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Jaguares 1/7
Draw 30/1
Highlanders 9/2
Handicap
Jaguares (-14.5) 9/10
Highlanders (+14.5) 9/10
A Highlanders side missing a plethora of All Blacks will be looking to upset the applecart when they head to Argentina to take on the Jaguares. The hosts endured a very poor tour of South Africa which culminated in a big loss to the Sharks and will be eager to secure a vital win this Saturday.
The visitors are having a horrible old season and have only won one of the five games that they have played thus far. To make matters worse, they are missing All Blacks for this one with Aaron Smith and Liam Coltman having been sent home to rest up.
Verdict: Jaguares (-14.5) 9/10
While the ‘Jags don’t boast the most impressive of records against New Zealand sides I cannot see them having any problems clearing this handicap against a very weak Highlanders team.
Written by Darry Worthington for Hollywoodbets.
