Couch Critic previews Force v Rebels and Brumbies v Reds in Round 5 of Super Rugby Australia including best bets from @Olimp_SA
After Round 3 delivered some close encounters Round 4 was much more straight forward for the victors. It wasn’t our most successful round of rugby but we go again this week.
Western Force vs Rebels – Friday 31 July @ 11:05, Leichhardt Oval NSW
The Rebels were rather dismissive in putting the Waratahs away in Week 4 whilst the Force had a stinker in the wet against the Brumbies and find themselves still searching for their first win of the competition.
Teams & Tactics
The Force will roll out the centre combo of Kahui and Godwin for the first time this season and the return of Prior is also a positive. The Rebels have seen some re-shuffles with Dane Haylett-Petty out which is not ideal. They do however have Naisarani back as big ball carrying eight.
Verdict
The men from the West will have their hands full trying to contain some of the power players matching up against them. Off the back of a performance which saw them get a donut for their troubles they will surely be keen to put few more on the board in dry conditions. The issue for the Force is they will be tempted to just fling it around whilst in fact it is crucial for them to get stuck in and fight for every inch. The Rebels will fancy their chances of pulling away toward the back end against a Force side that have struggled in the second forty.
Brumbies vs Reds – Saturday 01 August @ 11:15, GIO Stadium Canberra
In wet conditions last week it was always going to be run of the mill stuff for the Horses last week as they just dictated terms upfront and managed the game from there in an ugly tussle. The Reds come into this one of the back of a bye week and are yet to taste defeat, despite failing to convince against the Force a fortnight ago.
Team & Tactics
We could be getting an early preview of the final in this clash. The Brumbies have a superb side on paper but haven’t really been able to transfer this into peak performance on the lawn. The Queenslanders themselves haven’t always operate at optimal levels – needing a late rally to earn a draw against the Rebels and only stumbling past the Force in the end.
Verdict
Neither team has really hit their straps but the Reds will have to be inch perfect to beat this Brumbies side who seem to have all their bases covered. I do however see a return to one of those tight Aussie tussles.
BETOLIMP BEST BETS
Rebels -9.5 @ 1.90
Half Time / Full Time Margin – Rebels (1-8) / Rebels (13+) @ 8.50
Wincast – Marika Koroibete to score first try and Rebels to win the game @ 12.00
Last Tryscorer – Pone Fa’amausili @ 56.00
Winning Margin: Brumbies to win by 1-10 @ 3.00
Half Time / Full Time Margin – Brumbies (1-8) / Brumbies (1-12) @ 8.50
Wincast – Tom Wright to score first try and Brumbies to win the game @ 17.00
Last Tryscorer – Jordan Petaia @ 21.00
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(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)
Couch Critic
