Couch Critic previews the betting and provides a tip for each match in Round 13 of Super Rugby, brought to you courtesy of BetOlimp.co.za

 

 

 

 

Again it was the Jaguares who helped us save face this past weekend. The Bulls were the big disappointments of the Week as I had full confidence that they would dish out a hiding but instead couldn’t pull away despite holding a solid enough lead for the majority of the match, yet not managing to completely break free as expected. Let’s dive into Week 13 of Super Rugby…

 

Blues vs Hurricanes(Friday @ 09:35)

Both teams had fast starts this past weekend but neither were able to follow through. Its’s the Ioane brothers squaring off against the Barrett brothers in this one.

Verdict: Kiwi derbies are usually tight but surely the Hurricanes just have too much fire power and will be able to beat this cap.

Best Bet: Hurricanes to beat the handicap of -5.5 @ 1.85 with BETOLIMP (Bronze level confidence)

BETOLIMP Special Bet: Anytime tryscorer– A Savea @ 3.80

 

Rebels vs Reds (Friday @ 11:45)

After a superb start to the tournament the Rebels now find themselves on a three-match losing run. The Reds caught everyone’s attention with a victory over the Sharks in Durban and also comfortably had the better of the Brumbies in Brisbane. The Reds went down 13-32 when hosting the Rebels in the reverse fixture.

Verdict: It’s been a tough month or so for Dave Wessel’s team but they should get back to winning ways here – the only question is by how much?

BETOLIMP Special Bet: Rebels to score first try and win @ 2.05 (Silver medal level of confidence)

BETOLIMP Special Bet: HT/FT Winning Margin – Rebels 1-8/Rebels 13+ @ 8.50

 

Bulls vs Crusaders (Friday @ 19:10)

The match of the weekend. The Sharks showed that the defending champions and current log leaders are not invincible. At Loftus the Bulls are always a team to be weary of and they have impressively dispatched the Stormers and Sharks at their fortress earlier in the season.

Verdict: Pretoria is a tough place for an overseas team to visit but this isn’t exactly the same ruthless Bulls team of old. Last week their opponents seemed to finish the stronger of the two – something which doesn’t normally happen at Loftus. A hurting Crusaders team will be out for blood.

Best Bet: First half winning margin – Crusaders 1-7 @ 3.14 (Bronze)

BETOLIMP Special Bet: Last Tryscorer – BraydonEnnor @ 12.00

 

Highlanders vs Jaguares(Saturday @ 07:15)

After smashing the Sunwolves the Highlanders looked home and hosed against the Chiefs last week only to let a good lead slip. The Jags have been quietly bubbling under as potential (and rather surprising) conference winners – an away win in Kiwi land will leave them in prime position.

Verdict: The Highlanders will miss Ben Smith but the Jaguareshave selected a weaker looking side for this game (had they not I would have been firmly on the plus here). The hosts took the foot off the pedal against the Chiefs and given the strong looking bench of the South Americans I am backing a strong finish from the visitors.

BETOLIMP Special Bet: HT/FT Winning Margin – Highlanders 9+/Highlanders 1-12 @ 11.00

BETOLIMP Special Bet: Agustin Creevy to score the last try @33.00

 

Chiefs vs Sharks (Saturday @ 09:35)

The Sharks seemed in turmoil when they left SA shores but managed to right the ship with victories over the Waratahs and an unlikely draw in Christchurch. Things haven’t gone according to plan for the Chiefs in 2019 but their late comeback in Dunedin proved there is some fight in them yet.

Verdict: Still no Brodie for the Chiefs and purely looking at how the season has transpired the Sharks should have a good chance in Hamilton. That being said this is still a Kiwi team with the likes of Anton Lienert-Brown, Tamua Manu and Solomon Alamalo all capable of ripping the Natalians to shreds if the KZN side struggle to lift themselves to the same levels achieved last week – I think it is very likely that Sharks could struggle to lift themselves for a third straight week.

Best Bet: Chiefs to beat the alternative handicap of -9.5 @ 2.65with BETOLIMP (Bronze bet)

BETOLIMP Special Bet: Anton Lienert-Brown to score a try in the match @ 3.30

 

Lions vs Waratahs (Saturday @ 15:05)

The Lions return to their lair after a tough tour and having won only one of their last four matches. The Tahs have had an up and down season but showed some good fight to beat the Rebels a fortnight ago and also did well to make the Bulls work hard for a win at Loftus last time out.

Verdict: Teams have struggled at times to get going after a bye week and the Lions haven’t been anywhere near the same team as 2017 & 2018. That being said I am expecting the hosts to put in a rejuvenated effort against a Tahs team that haven’t impressed me much.

Best Bet: Lions to win and beat the handicap of -6.5 @ 1.82 with BETOLIMP (Silver Medal level)

BETOLIMP Special Bet: Marnus Schoeman to score the last try @ 20.00

 

Brumbies vs Sunwolves (Sunday @ 08:05)

Verdict: The Sunwolves made the Reds sweat and it could prove to be a similar story this week despite the Brumbies having a pack that could hurt the Japs big time.

BETOLIMP Special Bet: Brumbies to win by 1-12 points @ 3.20

 

Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change

 

Couch Critic