Couch Critic previews Highlanders vs Reds and Waratahs vs Hurricanes in Trans Tasman Super Rugby on Friday including best bets and tryscorer specials with @Olimp_SA

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Reds and Crusaders hardly had time to finish their victory drinks and we are straight back into the cross-Tasman confrontations. Of course we wont hear me complaining as it gives us another opportunity to make some betting profits.

 

Highlanders vs Reds – Friday 14 May @ 09:05, Dunedin

 

Despite the Reds being the ones who are probably still fighting their hangovers as well as sore bodies it seems the off time didn’t stop a few of the Highlanders from also venturing into the pubs either. (It seems one team may be punch-drunk and the other drunk on the punch!). Both teams show a few changes to those we saw doing duty for the most part of their respective Super Rugby tournaments.

 

Looking at the teams selected there is not a lot about the Highlanders that excite me. The pack will have less bite than usual and in the backrow they will miss the impact of Frizzell. Aaron Smith and Nareki are the only dangers in the backline. Were it not for the expected hangover after winning Super Rugby AU I would have lumped on the visitors in this clash. As it stands there are some fresh faces doing duty for the Queenslanders – the starting pack has me a bit weary. I do expect the Reds to keep fighting until the end though.

 

Betolimp Bets:

 

Ash Dixon to score the first try and Highlanders to win the game @ 13.00

Dixon had a quiet time of things in the Aotearoa comp but against a slightly weaker Reds pack I expect him to be front and centre again. At home I believe the Landers will also do enough to get the “W”.

 

Anytime Tryscorer: Kazuki Himeno @ 4.50

In the absence of Frizzell I expect Himeno to lead the charge amongst the loosies.

 

Last Tryscorer: Taniela Tupou @ 21.00

The big boy was in superb try-scoring form in Super Rugby AU and coming off the bench he should bring plenty of energy.

 

Waratahs vs Hurricanes – Friday 14 May @ 11:45, Sydney

 

Both these side treated me royally by being as poor as expected in 2021. That being said I have actually seen a bit of an improvement from both toward the end of their respective competitions. Just over a month ago the Tahs were mauled 14-46 by the Reds in Sydney so there certainly still is the possibility that they could get hurt quite badly against a Kiwi opponent, when the latter finds it’s attacking range.

 

In their last three outings the Hurricanes lost to the Crusaders by 3 points (in extra time), a two-point last minute loss to the Chiefs and a confident victory over the Highlanders. They might have finished Aotearoa as the bottom placed side but they are a team on the up at present in my view. The young Tahs will have to summon all their potential to keep things tidy in Sydney I reckon.

 

Betolimp Bets:

 

First Tryscorer: Dane Coles @ 11.00

Coles will be starting to get back to a decent level and must be getting very hungry for his usual meat pie by this stage.

 

Last Tryscorer: Asafo Aumua @ 11.00

This robust hooker is a one-man wrecking ball when he gets on the park and I expect him to cause some chaos in the final quarter.

 

Best Bet Treble: Reds +15.5 onto Brumbies +24.5 onto Rebels +22.5 @ 2.35

 

Okay, so for months we’ve been saying how poor the Aussies are so this bet probably makes no sense. But somehow given the time frame of this comp I reckon the Kiwi sides will take a game or two to really hit their straps and I fancy the Aussies to at least try and do their country proud by avoiding huge defeats.

 

(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)

 

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