BLUvCHIThe Brumbies are the only Australian representatives in the Super Rugby Pacific semi finals and they face a tough task on Saturday when they head to Auckland to take on the Blues.

 

 

 

Blues v Brumbies, Saturday 11th July, Auckland, KO 09:05 (South African time)

 

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistants: Angus Gardner, Stu Curran
TMO: Shane McDermott

 

Weather Forecast – Auckland

 

Blues:

 

The Blues were 16.5 point favourites for last week's quarter final clash with the Highlanders at Eden Park and they ran out winners 35-6. Their task was made easier with the Highlanders picking up a red card on 22 minutes and the Blues ran away with it thereafter.

 

The Blues finished in top spot of the regular season overall standings. They lost to the Canes in the opening round but have since reeled off 14 successive wins and another victory here would see them host the final.

 

The Blues cut it fine in Round 13 with a 21-19 win away to the Brumbies with Beauden Barrett sealing the win with an after the siren penalty.

 

In the outright betting to win the tournament the Blues are trading as joint favourites with the Crusaders at around 13/10

 

Brumbies

 

The Brumbies ensured Australia maintain an interest with a 35-25 home win over the Hurricanes in their quarter final which was staged in Canberra. The betting suggested a close game and the Brumbies played almost an hour with 14 men. They were 22-15 down at half time but turned things around in the second half.

 

The Canberra side finished fourth in the standings with a record of 10 wins and 4 defeats, faring best of the Australian teams.

 

Aside from the narrow defeat to the Blues they also lost at home to the Crusaders 37-26. However the Brumbies won away to the Chiefs (38-28) and beat the Highlanders (28-17) in the Melbourne Super Round and when they hosted the Hurricanes in Round 11 they came out on top 42-25.

 

The Brumbies are currently trading at around 8/1 in the outright betting to win the tournament.

 

Team News (subject to change)

 

Blues: Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Nepo Laulala, Josh Goodhue, Tom Robinson, Akira Ioane, Adrian Choat, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett (c), Mark Telea, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, Stephen Perofeta

 

Reserves: Soane Vikena, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Luke Romano, James Tucker, Sam Nock, Tamati Tua, Zarn Sullivan

 

Brumbies: James Slipper, Folau Fainga’a, Allan Alaalatoa, Darcy Swain, Caderyn Neville, Tom Hooper, Pete Samu, Rob Valetini, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Andy Muirhead, Irae Simone, Ollie Sapsford, Tom Wright, Tom Banks

 

Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, Scott Sio, Sefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Luke Reimer, Jahrome Brown, Ryan Lonergan, Hudson Creighton

 

 

The Betting - Need to open an account? Claim your 1st deposit bonus of up to R2,000 here

 

Blues -12.5 points at 9/10

Brumbies +12.5 points at 9/10

 

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

 

Betting Angle

 

This handicap exactly where I set it in my Sunday night handicap exercise on Goodforthegame and I am not seeing any obvious value. Both guests on last nights THE HANDICAP our Rugby Betting Show were leaning towards the Brumbies to keep things tight especially given that weather conditions don’t look great in Auckland. The Brumbies have an excellent defence and the Blues have also been very strong in that area this season and that has me leaning towards a rare unders play in the total points market at the current line of 48.5.

 

Here is the video preview of the game where @ThoughtsOnSports & @TheCroweTips

Click here to see what other punters fancy as well as any points bets I may play closer to kick off

 

BET: 4 Units under 48.5 points at 9/10 at Sunbet

 

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

 

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