STORMERSCouch Critic provides the betting tips for selected matches in Round 1 of the new Super Rugby season including Blues v Chiefs, Sharks v Bulls, Stormers v Hurricanes and Jaguares v Lions with best bets from @Olimp_SA

 

 

 

 

It’s finally here!! Super Rugby 2020 kicks off this weekend. My Outright long terms punts are down but now it’s time to get stuck into week one’s games and pick a few winners. With it being a post-World Cup year, we will be seeing plenty of young talent on display, so fasten your seatbelts this should be one heck of a thrilling ride.

 

Blues vs Chiefs (Friday @ 08:05) – Auckland

 

Right out the gate we are treated to a big Kiwi derby which should jolt the senses right back into Super Rugby mode inside the opening half hour. Both teams have plenty of youth amongst the forwards. But seniors such as Tuipulotu and Sam Cane are charged with leading from the front for the Blues and Chiefs respectively. At the back both teams have pace and skill that can excite. Big news on the team front is that Damian McKenzie will miss the opener for the Chiefs.

Prediction: The Blues are a frustrating team to try and call right, let alone in the first match of the new season without seeing them have their first crack. The talk in the lead-up to the opener is around how fit the Blues are compared to previous years. This should give them some good staying power for the entire 80 but the visitors boast a bench which includes Weber, Cruden and Anton Lienert-Brown. I see the Blues starting strong but coming up a touch short with the Chiefs finishing the stronger of the two teams thanks to their bench.

 

BETOLIMP Value Best: Blues to lead at half time but Chiefs to win the game – Blues/Chiefs @ 6.04

BETOLIMP Best Bet: Chiefs to win by a margin of 1-7 points @ 3.66

Special Bet: To score the last try – Brad Weber @ 19.00 with BETOLIMP

 

Sharks vs Bulls (Friday @ 19:10) - Durban

 

The combined off-season losses of these two franchises can form a who’s-who list of note. We won’t be seeing the Du Preez trio or hear the “Beast” chants from the stands. The Bulls have lost more locks than most other unions even have on their books and Springbok stalwarts, Pollard and Jesse Kriel are missing from the backline ranks. Experienced hands, Brits and Vermeulen have also moved on.

The Sharks have selected a backline that appears capable of ripping most teams to shreds on their day. Yet the men in blue have a pretty solid looking tight five which could just make the task a touch more difficult for their hosts than most pundits seem to expect.

Verdict: As per usual in the early season it will be warm and sticky in the Shark Tank on Friday night. Both teams have some exciting players and the coaches have been all talk in promising some exciting rugby in 2020. In this first encounter I still see it being a bit of an ugly scrap between two young and rusty outfits in less than ideal conditions. The home side should have enough in them to come out victorious but I find it tough backing them with too much confidence here.

 

BETOLIMP Best Bet: Sharks to win by 1-7 points @ 3.47

Special Bet 1: To score the first try – Sikhumbuzo Notshe @ 26.00 with BETOLIMP

Special Bet 2: To score the last try – Sanele Nohamba @ 26.00 with BETOLIMP

 

Must read ...............Couch Critic takes a look at the prospects for all the Super Rugby teams and nails up his best outright betswith @Olimp_SA

 

Stormers vs Hurricanes (Saturday @ 15:05) – Cape Town

 

The very last season at Newlands kicks off with a match against one of the strong New Zealand sides for the Capetonians. The Canes will take the field without Dan Coles, Ardie Savea and Beauden Barrett – all Hurricane superstars of the recent past. Yet the men from Wellington still have dangerous weapons such as Jordie Barrett, Laumape and Ben Lam to call on and TJ Perenara to run the show.

The Stormers have also lost experienced World Cup winners in the form of Eben Etzebeth and Damian de Allende. Despite these losses they still have an impressive pack of forwards who will be tasked with laying the platform from which their electrifying young backs like Damian Willemse, Ruhan Nel and Senatla can show the world what they are made of.

Verdict: If the Hurricanes backs run free it will be a long day at the office for an inexperienced home backline. But this is a very big IF. This is a Springbok quality pack of forwards that the Stormers will use to keep the visitors on the back foot. The New Zealanders will struggle to launch their running game whilst finding themselves in reverse.

 

BETOLIMP Value Bet: Stormers to lead at half time and win the game – Stormers/Stormers @ 2.14

BETOLIMP Best Bet: Stormers to win and beat the handicap of -2.5 @ 1.92

 

Take our weekend EPL treble, Newcastle to win, Liverpool v Southampton both teams to score and Bournemouth v Aston Villa over 2.5 goals with odds boosted to 8.00

 

Jaguares vs Lions (Sunday @ 01:00) – Buenos Aires

 

A young Lions side have the unenviable task of having to travel to Argentina first up to lock horns with the losing finalists of last year, the Jaguares. More experienced teams have struggled with this assignment and despite the Argentines also losing a few key players from their impressive 2019 campaign they should still prove to be a tough nut to crack, especially in their intimidating home environment.

Verdict: I give this Lions side little chance of upsetting the Jaguares. The home side should comfortably be able to ward off the men from Johannesburg in the early hours of Sunday morning (for SA viewers).

 

BETOLIMP Value Bet: Jaguares to win and beat the extended handicap of -16.5 @ 2.73

BETOLIMP Best Bet: Jaguares to win and beat the handicap of -10.5 @ 1.91

 

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(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)

 

Couch Critic