BLUvCHICouch Critic previews Hurricanes v Highlanders and Blues v Chiefs in Round 10 of Super Rugby Aotearoa plus the Brumbies v Force play off in Australia including his best bets with @Olimp_SA

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPER RUGBY – 30 April & 01 May

 

Somehow our double got over the line but it certainly was the Crusaders who did their part more than the Chiefs who looked more likely than not to taste defeat last week. Let's look at this weekend's action in NZ as well as a glimpse at the Aussie Qualifier.

 

Hurricanes vs Highlanders – Friday 30 Apr @ 09:05, Wellington

 

Huge news hot of the press is that Nehe Milner-Skudder will finally switch photo opportunities for his dusty boots and still brand-new Highlanders kit as he gets his first run-out for his new(ish) franchise.

 

It might be a battle between the two teams at the bottom of the log but the quality is still likely to be very high. The Canes have delivered my pre-tournament prediction of most defeats but rightly go into this clash as the favourites since they have looked a team on the up of late. The Highlanders have a victory over the Blues and a narrow defeat to the Chiefs to show for their recent efforts so this one really should be a tough one to predict.

 

In the end I find myself leaning toward the home side to finish strong whilst there may be little at stake for the Highlanders in their final game of the season.

 

Betolimp Bets:

 

Double: Hurricanes onto Blues -9.5 @ 2.25

 

HT/FT - Hurricanes / Hurricanes @ 2.18

First Tryscorer: Dane Coles @ 15.00

Last Tryscorer: Asafo Aumoa @ 15.00

Anytime Tryscorer: Jordie Barrett @ 2.70

 

Blues vs Chiefs – Saturday 01 May @ 09:05, Auckland

 

With the Chiefs secure in the knowledge that they will be facing the Crusaders in the final next week they have wrung the changes. This team is far from first choice and even a somewhat stuttering Blues outfit should have their number. Again it is the home side that will be keen as mustard to finish the 2021 campaign on a high note whilst the focus of the visitors is elsewhere so I won't be wagering any funds on the visitors despite their serious turn of fortune over the past month or so.

 

Betolimp Bets:

 

First Tryscorer: Finlay Christie @ 21.00

Last Tryscorer: Akira Ioane @ 17.00 (Surely he has to finally deliver for me)

 

Brumbies vs Force – Saturday 01 May @ 11:45, Canberra

 

Across the ditch we have the Brumbies and Force dueling it out to for the right to face the Reds in Brisbane next week. The defending Champion Brumbies suffered two defeats during 2021 but will feel they have the pedigree, the class and the form (relatively) to get then job done and book their spot.

 

The Westerners somehow got one over the table topping Reds last week - Dave Wessels certainly won't have Brad Thorne on his Christmas list! After all is said and done I don't see the Force troubling the pragmatic Brumbies who should just wear their opponents down given the gulf in playing personnel.

 

Betolimp Bets:

 

HT/FT Margin: Brumbies (9+) / Brumbies (1-12) @ 12.00

I expect the Brumbies to rush out the gate and look to get the job done early. After this they might just take their foot off the accelerator.

 

(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)

 

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