The Brumbies host the Hurricanes in Canberra in the last of Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific play offs and the betting suggests it could get close.
Brumbies v Hurricanes, Saturday 4th July, Canberra, KO 11:45 (South African time)
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistants: Mike Fraser, Mike Winter
TMO : Richard Kelly
Weather Forecast - Canberra
Brumbies
The Brumbies went down 32-22 away to Moana Pasifika in the final round of the regular season but they had done enough to secure a home play off. The Canberra side finished fourth in the standings with a record of 10 wins and 4 defeats, faring best of the Australian teams.
In games against NZ opposition the Brumbies lost recent home games to the Blues 21-19 and the Crusaders 37-26. They 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 12/1 in the outright betting to win the tournament.
Hurricanes:
The Hurricanes finished 1 place and 5 log points behind the Brumbies in the regular season standings with a record of 8 wins and 6 defeats.
They went down 27-22 away to the Force in the final round of matches and they won 3 and lost 2 of their games against Australian opposition. They beat the Reds (30-17) in the Super Round in Melbourne before the aforementioned defeat away to the Brumbies. They edged out the Waratahs 22-18 in Sydney and beat the Rebels 45-22 in Wellington.
The Hurricanes are currently trading at around 11/1 in the outright betting to win the tournament.
Team News (subject to change)
Brumbies: James Slipper, Folau Fainga'a, Allan Alaalatoa, Darcy Swain, Cadeyrn Neville, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Pete Samu, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Andy Muirhead, Irae Simone, Len Ikitau, Tom Wright, Tom Banks
Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, Scott Sio, Sefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Rory Scott, Jahrome Brown, Ryan Lonergan, Ollie Sapsford
Hurricanes: Tevita Mafileo, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, James Blackwell, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Blake Gibson, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Aidan Morgan, Salesi Rayasi, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Julian Savea, Josh Moorby
Reserves: Asago Aumua, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Brayden Iose, Jamie Booth, Ruben Love, Wes Goosen
The Betting - Free R25 Sign Up Bonus. Need to open an account? Register here
Brumbies -3.5 points at 9/10
Hurricanes +4.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
I made the Brumbies -4.5 for this game and the bookmakers are very much in agreement. The more I think about though the more I start to feel that the Hurricanes are value to win this game though. The Canes have certainly not been at their best this season, but they have looked excellent in patches and who can forget that come from behind victory against the Blues earlier in the season. Hurricanes on the board is my call.
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BET: 3 Units Hurricanes win at 15/10 @WSB
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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