Couch Critic previews Reds v Waratahs and Force v Brumbies in the opening round of Super Rugby Australia including his best bets with @Olimp_SA
SUPER RUGBY AU – 19 February
Super Rugby is BACK! (Even if it’s just the Aussie version thereof). I can’t wait to get back stuck in to some Southern Hemisphere rugby. Here are my thoughts on Week 1.
Reds vs Waratahs – Friday 19 Feb @ 10:45, Brisbane
The 2020 runners-up are well fancied in this opener. The Tahs will be hoping that a fresh start gives them new hope but my faith lies with the Reds who have kept the core of their team and have a dangerous looking back division at their disposal which will be ready to pounce on any opportunity offered to them from their opponents. The hosts will miss Liam Gill in their ranks but Waratahs have a similar void with Hooper on an extended sushi-session in the Land of the Rising Sun. The cap does seem a touch high so I will opt for a few more creative plays.
Betolimp Bets:
HT/FT Margin: Reds (1-8) / Reds (13+) @ 6.50
I’m not confident that the Reds will be operating on full throttle from the word go but at this price I am happy to get involved in the Queenslanders pulling away in the second half after a tight early tussle.
Jordan Petaia to score the first try and Reds to win@ 13.00
First Waratahs Tryscorer – Jake Gordon @ 8.00
(Give my Outright Preview a browse for more info around my confidence in Petaia and Gordon.)
Western Force vs Brumbies – Friday 19 Feb @ 13:00, Perth
Harvey Beef has come on board as major sponsor for the Force but thankfully it’s not the only beefing up the men from the West have done prior to the 2021 edition of Super Rugby AU. Clearly the Argentinian pair of Thomas Cubelli and Domingo Miotti have found the sponsor’s product to their taste as they have signed on for the men in blue and are set to play an important role in the Force’s campaign (though Miotti won’t get a run this weekend).
Whilst the Force have a few changes in their ranks and are looking for a complete overhaul from their 2020 efforts the Brumbies will be hoping to replicate what we saw from them last year. The men from Canberra started in familiar fashion as they had two rolling maul tries and a penalty try to thank for their pre-season trial match victory over this same opponent – nothing different from the masters of the rolling thunder in terms of tactics in 2021 then, it seems!
I’m expecting the Force to be a much-improved outfit from what we saw last year but in the end they will struggle to stay with the power and clinical efficiency of the Brumbies. Look out for the visiting hookers to have a big night out.
Betolimp Bets:
HT/FT Margin: Force (1-8) / Brumbies (1-12) @ 9.50
The home side are likely to start strong but I struggle to see them keeping it up for the entire 80 minutes.
Folau Fainga’a to score a try in the match and Brumbies to win by 6-10 points @ 9.00
Last Tryscorer – Connal McInerney @ 21.00
(Let’s get 2021 Super Rugby started with some hooker action!)
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(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)
Couch Critic
