Couch Critic provides the betting tips for selected matches in Round 2 of Super Rugby including Highlanders v Sharks, Brumbies v Rebels, Chiefs v Crusaders, Lions v Reds and Stormers v Bulls with best bets from @Olimp_SA
The Jaguares and Stormers treated us well in week 1 and Nohamba scampering over for the match-winning score on Friday evening started the 2020 Super Rugby campaign on a considerable high. I was very bullish about Week 1’s betting heats but must say the match-ups look a lot tougher in the second week. In many games the outcome doesn’t even seem clear, let alone the possible handicap call. So, a word of caution to proceed watchfully into this weekend, but here are the plays I will be focussing on to keep me in the black.
Highlanders vs Sharks (Friday @ 08:05) – Dunedin
The Sharks were able to outlast the visiting Bulls in a war of attrition in the humid conditions of Durban. They now find themselves in the far South of New Zealand for this there second match. The Highlanders will jog out for their first encounter of the 2020 season having sat out the opening weekend.
The Durbanites will be without Nkosi for this clash but apart from that have a settled team for their first match on tour. Mitch Hunt will take the field for the first time for the Landers after moving down from the Crusaders. It will be interesting to see how Josh Ioane goes at 12 seeing that he has impressed the national selectors as an option for the All Black no.10 jumper.
Verdict: The home side might take same time to fins their feat but at the end of the day it’s never easy beating a Kiwi team in their own backyard and I see the Highlanders winning a rather close arm-wrestle.
Special Bet 1: Highlanders to win by 1-12 points @2.60
Special Bet 2: First tryscorer – Rob Thompson @20.00
Special Bet 3: Last tryscorer – Ash Dixon @26.00
Brumbies vs Rebels (Friday @ 10:15) - Canberra
Aussie derbies are often the games that South African opt to give a miss. Yet whilst its still early in the season I am hungry for all the Super Rugby I can sink my teeth into! The Australian Conference promises to be a tight one and the Rebels will be dead keen on not slipping to the worst possible start by taking two successive defeats and leaving them with plenty to do. Dave Wessels will require a 180 degree turn around from his side off the back of a shocking showing against the Sunwolves last week.
Verdict: The Rebels will be dead keen on bouncing back from a disappointing loss against the Sunwolves. The Brumbies weren’t at their most clinical against the Reda and surprisingly their scrum struggled at times. This one should be a tight, attritional derby battle. At the end of the day you have to favour the home side when you struggle to pick a winner from either side.
Special Bet 1: Brumbies to win by 1-12 points @2.60
Special Bet 2: First tryscorer – Folau Fainga’a @9.50
Special Bet 3: Last tryscorer – Koroibete @15.00
Chiefs vs Crusaders (Saturday @ 08:05) – Waikato
Another one of those tight derbies where one struggles to call a winner with any sort of confidence. The Chiefs did well to fight back and win their match against the Blues last week. The Waratahs pushed the Crusaders close at times but in reality it seemed the men from Christchurch just had way too much firepower on attack for the Aussies.
Verdict: The Chiefs have had the chance to clear the cobwebs by testing themselves against a fellow Kiwi side. Aaron Cruden already looks like a superb signing and they should have some confidence off a win and a spring in their step to be playing their first home game. Yet the Chiefs will face a Saders team who didn’t show the signs of having lost a number of key players. On attack newish players to their setup like Braydon Ennor and Will Jordan seem to have slotted in and continued where their predecessors left things. This match should be extremely tight and one has to think it is an important clash for the Chiefs to come out victorious and show that they are realistic title contenders whilst also proving the Crusaders to be beatable this season. Alas, the Saders are experts at closing out a close win and the odds have moved to make them an attractive play.
BETOLIMP Value Bet: Chiefs at half time and Crusaders to win the game – Chiefs/Crusaders @ 6.01
BETOLIMP Best Bet: Crusaders to win by 1-7 @ 3.62
Special Bet 1: First tryscorer – T Tahuriorangi @35.00
Special Bet 2: Last tryscorer – B Hall @30.00
Lions vs Reds (Saturday @ 15:05) – Johannesburg
Off the back of a humbling defeat to the Jaguares the Lions need to dust themselves off and get back on track against a visiting Reds team. The men from Brisbane showed some good signs last week and in particular their pack seemed up for the fight, especially in the first half against the Brumbies.
Verdict: The Lions love their expansive attacking play but the Reds won’t mind the style whatsoever. The only question is whether the Aussies can keep pace at altitude.
BETOLIMP Value Bet: Reds at half time and Lions to win the game – Reds/Lions @ 5.38
BETOLIMP Best Bet: To win the first half – Reds @ 2.31
Special Bet 1: First tryscorer – M Schoeman @20.00
Special Bet 2: Team to score last – Lions @1.80
Stormers vs Bulls (Saturday @ 17:15) – Cape Town
The Stormers were the toast of the town in downing the Hurricanes to nil last week. The faithful will be expecting the same from their chargers against the old foe from up North. The Bulls reverted to a tactical game against the Sharks which didn’t quite have the result they wanted. Against the Capetonians they will have to find some more attacking flair to notch up enough points to claim an upset victory.
Verdict: I don’t give the Bulls much chance of stopping the impressive Stormers this week. Yes, the home team will miss the likes of Kolisi and Mbonambi but should still have enough in hand. I think the handicap is a tough one to call but will back the hosts to start fast.
BETOLIMP Value Bet: Stormers to beat the half time handicap of -4.5 @ 1.83
BETOLIMP Best Bet: Stormers to win onto Jaguares to win @ 1.82
Special Bet 1: First tryscorer – Jaco Coetzee @23.00
Special Bet 2: Anytime tryscorer – Herschel Jantjies @3.80
Extra Plays
Waratahs vs Blues: Last Tryscorer – A Ioane @17.00
Jaguares vs Hurricanes: First tryscorer – J Montoya @15.00
& Last tryscorer – A Creevy @23.00
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(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)
Couch Critic
