Couch Critic previews the betting and provides a tip for each match in Round 8 of Super Rugby, brought to you courtesy of BetOlimp.co.za
A mixed bag was achieved last week but despite a nice payout produced by the Crusaders on a Silver Medal bet we still ended the week in the red after a crushing late Chiefs try in Buenos Aires. Week 8 does seem to offer some nice opportunities to make some money though…
(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)
Highlanders vs Hurricanes (Friday @ 08:35)
A battle to be crowned best of the rest continues in Dunedin on Friday. The Landers pack will fancy their chances of dictating terms but the Canes will have the advantage at the back, especially with Aaron Smith and Waisake Naholo missing for the home side.
Verdict: This should be a close one but I’ll go for the Hurricanes to bounce back and snatch a narrow victory.
Bet: Hurricanes to win by 1-7 points @ 3.53 (Bronze medal level of confidence)
Special Bet: Hurricanes to win by 1-12 @ 2.80
Special Bet: First Trycorer – A Savea @ 23.00
Reds vs Stormers (Friday @ 11:00)
The Stormers have gone down fighting in two tight games in New Zealand. They will travel to Aus looking for an important win on the road against a team who were soundly beaten by their countrymen last week.
Verdict: If the Stormers can maintain their levels of the last few weeks they have every chance of tasting success in Brisbane. They will however have to be switched on and sticking to the same theme of keeping things tight and boring as the likes of Kerevi can rip them to shreds if things open up at all.
Bet: Stormers to win @ 1.89 (Bronze)
Special Bet: Stormers to win by 1-12 points @ 3.50
Special Bet: First Tryscorer – B Mbonambi @ 23.00
Lions vs Sharks (Friday @ 19:10)
Things just aren’t honkey dory in the Sharks camp at present. The Lions come off a break and a good win in Singapore. Some interesting changes have been made to the Lions team with a more youthful look to the side.
Verdict: It seems the Sharks’ race is run. The Lions might take some time to settle into their rhythm but in the end they should have too much fire power for the Sharks to handle.
Bet: Lions to beat the handicap of -6.5 @ 1.83 (Silver medal)
Special Bet: First Tryscorer – M Marx @ 12.00
Crusaders vs Brumbies (Saturday @ 06:15)
The Crusaders dispelled any concerns that they could be on the wane when they comfortably put the Hurricanes away last week. The Brumbies have a team that have shown one or two impressive things but are ultimately not near the levels of others in the comp.
Verdict: Finally back home, the Saders could be out to thrill their locals in a rare day game in Christchurch. I will go for the speculative option of the Saders having a rather healthy lead at the break. (Also look out for a tryscorer bet in this game which I’ll share on social media closer to kickoff).
Bet: Crusaders to lead by 8-14 at half time @ 3.53 (Bronze)
Blues vs Waratahs (Saturday @ 08:35)
The Blues mostly stumbled their way past the Stormers last week but have definitely shown some improvement of late. In contrast the Tahs fluffed their lines badly by going down to the Sunwolves.
Verdict: The Blues will have Rieko Ioane on the loose and I just have this feeling that the home side might hit their straps on Saturday against a Waratah team who are mentally all over the place at present.
Bet: Blues to beat the extended handicap of -11.5 @ 2.73 (Bronze medal)
Special Bet: R Ioane to score 2 or more tries @ 3.25
Rebels vs Sunwolves (Saturday @ 10:45)
The Sunwolves must be strutting around Australia with their chests out whilst flipping the bird at SANZAR. But the Rebels themselves are in a good spot having finally returned to their home patch.
Verdict: This is one of those games where I’m struggling to get a clear picture of how things should transpire. The Sunwolves aren’t without an outside chance but at the same time the Rebels could kick on as they did against the Reds and put the Wolves away in the end. A possible rest to Quade Cooper could further complicate matters.
Bet: I will go for the double here of Rebels to beat the adjusted handicap of -6.5 onto Blues to beat the Waratahs @ 1.86 (Bronze)
Bulls vs Jaguares (Saturday @ 15:05)
Having dropped the ball badly against the Chiefs the men in blue bounced back with an important (though very scrappy) win over the Sharks in Durban. The Jags returned from a break only to be pipped by the Chiefs at the death.
Verdict: The Jaguares team aren’t what they were last season and they are also not great travellers. The Bulls will be keen to give their home fans something to cheer about and I’m backing a big Bulls performance in this one.
Bet: Bulls to beat the handicap of -5.5 @ 1.84 (Bronze medal level of confidence)
Couch Critic
