Couch Critic previews the betting and provides a tip for each match in Round 16 of Super Rugby, brought to you courtesy of BetOlimp.co.za
What a superb weekend we had! The Chiefs and Brumbies delivered to give us a great Friday start. The Crusaders made heavy weather of things but the first half play proved to be the correct onewhilst the Jaguares, Stormers and Sharks all come home to make it a great betting weekend. Let’s see if we can keep the good times going this week.
Blues vs Bulls(Friday @ 09:35)
After an impressive performance against the Rebels the Bulls continued their trend of “knit-one-slip-one” when they stuttered against the Brumbies last week. The Blues for their part have consistently put up a fight but struggled to get over the line.
Verdict: If the normal Bulls pattern continues they should get the “W” here but the Blues have a good victory and a solid effort in Christchurch to their name in the past two weeks and they should fancy their chances of picking up their sixth victory of the tournament. A Bulls team without Pollard and Vermeulen will surely end on the wrong side of things and the home side could just pull away at the end.
Best Bet: Blues to win by over 14 points @ 2.49 with BETOLIMP
BETOLIMP Special Bet: HF/FT Winning Margin – Blues 1-8/Blues 13+ @ 8.50
Rebels vs Waratahs (Friday @ 11:45)
After taking their foot of the gas for a few weeks the Rebels looked much sharper in putting 50 past the hapless Sunwolves. The Waratahs continued their slide as they were defeated by the Jaguares in Sydney.
Verdict: Surely some of the Tahs are starting to look ahead toward the World Cup as clearly this isn’t going to be their year in Super Rugby. The Melbourne men to take this one, but hopefully by not too many.
Best Bet: Rebels to win by 1-7 points @ 3.51 with BETOLIMP
BETOLIMP Special Bet: HF/FT Winning Margin – Rebels 1-8/Rebels 1-12 @ 10.50
Sunwolves vs Brumbies (Saturday @ 07:15)
In their last four outings the Wolves have failed to score a point on two of those and leaked a half century twice as well. It seems the Sunwolves have lost focus on Super Rugby 2019. Their opponents on Saturday are the exact opposite – they have inched into top spot on the Australian Conference and will be keen on staying clear of the Rebels.
Verdict: The Brumbies will pitch up ready to take care of business. I expect them to start fast in Tokyo.
Best Bet: Brumbies to beat the first half handicap of -6.5 @ 1.83 with BETOLIMP
BETOLIMP Special Bet: To score 2 or more tries - FolauFainga’a @ 3.60
Chiefs vs Crusaders (Saturday @ 09:35)
If one is completely honest the Saders have failed to live up to their hype on a number of occasions of late – drawing to both the Sharks and Stormers as well as battling past the Blues last week. Given the off-field issues that emerged on tour in South Africa one has to wonder whether the defending Champs haven’t found themselves in a situation where they have started to believe their own press a touch… The Chiefs have had a tough season thus far and considering this game will be played in Fiji the home advantage factor is irrelevant.
Verdict: I think Razor will have the Crusaders tuned up to 5th gear this week and the Fijian fans could be in for a bit of a show. Seevu Reece returns home and will be keen to impress.
Best bet: Crusaders to win by over 14 points @ 1.83 with BETOLIMP
BETOLIMP Special Bet: To score 2 or more tries –Seevu Reece @ 4.00
Reds vs Jaguares (Saturday @ 11:45)
Verdict:The underestimating of the Jaguares is getting less but I think there is still a touch of value to be had on the South Americans.
Best Bet: Half Time/Full Time – Jaguares/Jaguares @ 2.02 with BETOLIMP
BETOLIMP Special Bet: Last Tryscorer – Julian Montoya @ 30.00
Sharks vs Hurricanes (Saturday @ 15:05)
The Hurricanes might be the next best team behind the Crusaders but it’s hardly been a vintage season for Plum’s boys. In their last outing they suffered a home loss to the Jags. The Sharks have three victories less than the Canes and have been surprisingly below par on their own home patch.
Verdict: The Canes don’t have a great record in Durban and I think they are a touch overrated this season.
Best Bet: Sharks to win on the board @ 2.21 with BETOLIMP
BETOLIMP Special Bets: First Try – Dan Du Preez @ 18.00 and Last Try – Dan Coles @ 24.00
Lions vs Stormers (Saturday @ 17:15)
They Lions have been a far cry from the 20016-2018 version. Last year’s finalists are currently in the last Wildcard spot on the log and in desperate need of a victory in what is an extremely tight Conference log. The Stormers are equal to the Lions on 30 log points and have found an extra gear back at home, but will however be missing the likes of Kolisi and Mbonambi.
Verdict: The Lions will throw the ball around and in the end sneak a narrow home win.
Best Bet: First Half Winning Margin – Lions to lead by 1-7 points @ 3.02 with BETOLIMP
BETOLIMP Special Bets: Lions to win by 1-12 points @ 2.90, Last Tryscorer – Hacjivah Dayimani @ 30.00
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
Couch Critic
