Couch Critic nails up his Super Rugby Aotearoa betting tips for the match between the Crusaders and the Chiefs which takes place on 28th June
Crusaders vs Chiefs – Sunday 28 June @ 05:35, Christchurch
The Crusaders were out of the gates with a bang early doors against the Hurricanes but had to fight hard in the final quarter to seal the deal. The Chiefs travel to Christchurch off the back of two straight losses and few give them much chance of turning things around on Sunday.
Team News
Crucially the Chiefs welcome back their leader, Sam Cane, and it isn’t a moment too soon. Mitchell Brown is also back in the second row whilst the coach has had it with the erratic lineout work from Taukei’aho and has sent him to the bench. Solomon Alaimalo on the right wing is another change which brings the Chiefs a touch close to full strength. The Crusaders will send the same team out to repeat the dose in front of their home fans this week.
Tactics
The Crusaders ran in five tries in their first outing, showing little signs of any COVID enforced rust. They were however a touch undercooked with regard to their discipline against the Canes and the lineout and maul option wasn’t functioning to satisfaction either. Clearly the defending Super Rugby champions are still as sharp as ever when it comes to counter attacking flair yet Scott Robertson will be expecting an improved performance from his side in their execution of the basics.
Warren Gatland’s team have quality in the form of Cruden, McKenzie and Lienert-Brown yet these backline stars appear to be carrying a too heavy a burden behind a tight five that have failed to gain parity upfront. It’s all down to a seriously improved performance from the pack for the visitors this week.
Verdict
The Chiefs have made a few improvements to their line-up, but one doubts whether it will prove to be enough against a Crusaders team who, despite winning comfortably enough, will realise that they need to take a further step up in their second outing. I do expect the men from Hamilton to come out firing in the opening half hour but eventually the class of the Crusaders will shine through.
BETOLIMP BEST BETS
Half-Time / Full-Time (margin): Crusaders 1-8 / Crusaders 13+ @ 7.40
Last week the men in red charged out of the gate but this time around I expect the Chiefs to keep them honest in the first half before the Champions find their range.
First Tryscorer: Whetu Douglas @ 29.00
The busy loosie was well occupied at lineout time against the Hurricanes but this time around I hope to see him getting more involved as carrier.
Last Tryscorer: Mitchell Drummond @ 23.00
The nippy nine brought a whole lot of energy off the bench and he is as good a runner as any for last scorer.
Claim your 1st deposit bonus of up to R3,000 here
(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)
Couch Critic
