The final action in the “Super Round” of Super Rugby Pacific sees the Crusaders clash with Rebels in Melbourne Sunday and the pre-match handicap is a big number.
Crusaders v Rebels, Sunday 24th April, Melbourne, KO ??:?? (South African time)
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistants: James Doleman, Jordan Way
TMO : Glenn Newman
Weather Forecast – Melbourne
Crusaders:
An 18 year unbeaten run against the Blues in Christchurch came to an end for the Crusaders last week as they were beaten 27-23. They started as 6.5 point favourites on the handicap but a red card (Scott Barrett, who has picked up a 4 match ban) when they already had a man in the bin saw the Blues pull clear and a late fightback came up short.
A week earlier the Crusaders hung on to beat the Hurricanes 24-21 in Wellington with the Canes passing up a shot at goal in the closing stages which could have taken the game into extra time. Another recent match against the Highlanders was also close with the Saders winning 17-14.
The Crusaders only other defeat so far came at home to the Chiefs (24-21) in Round 4 although they turned that around with a subsequent 34-19 win over the same opponent in Hamilton.
With a record of 6 wins and 2 defeats the Saders come into the weekend fourth in the standings with 28 log points, 3 points shy of the Blues and the Brumbies and 2 behind the Reds.
The Crusaders are currently trading at around 16/10 favourites in the outright betting to win the tournament with the Blues having shortened into 37/20.
Rebels:
The Rebels are hosting the “Super Round” and they ran the Queensland Reds pretty close last week, eventually going down 36-32 (handicap +8.5 points) after late fightback came up short.
The Rebels lost their first 5 matches before winning the next two, 42-27 at home to Fijian Drua and 22-21 away to the Force in Perth.
With 2 wins and 6 defeats the Rebels come into this round fourth from bottom with 11 log points.
Team News (subject to change)
Crusaders: George Bower, Codie Taylor (c), Olie Jager, Zach Gallagher, Sam Whitelock, Pablo Matera, Ethan Blackadder, Cullen Grace, Mitch Drummond, Richie Mo'unga, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Jack Goodhue, Braydon Ennor, Sevu Reece, George Bridge
Reserves: Ricky Jackson, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Dominic Gardiner, Corey Kellow, Bryn Hall, Fergus Burke, Chay Fihaki
Rebels: Cameron Orr, James Hanson, Cabous Eloff, Matt Philip, Josh Hill, Rob Leota, Brad Wilkin, Michael Wells (c), James Tuttle, Matt To'omua, Glen Vaihu, Stacey Ili, Andrew Kellaway, George Worth, Reece Hodge
Reserves: Efi Ma'afu, Matt Gibbon, Rhys Van Nek, Josh Canham, Tamati Ioane, Sam Wallis, Joe Powell, Carter Gordon
The Betting Need to open an account? Claim your 1st deposit bonus of up to R2,000 here
Crusaders -28.5 points at 9/10
Rebels +29.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
The Crusaders have not been at there best this season and the Rebels have looked good in recent weeks. There is little doubt about who wins this but given this game is being played in the Rebels back yard this handicap looks big. Neal was bullish on #TheHandicap our rugby betting show and I am jumping aboard.
There is now +29.5 (from 28.5) available perhaps because the Chiefs beat the Waratahs by a large margin but I am backing the Rebels to fly the Aussie flag.
I will also be looking at points lines when available and any points bets will be posted in the forum
Watch the Crusaders v Rebels video preview for the views of @ThoughtsonSports and @Chad_Reich
BET: 5 units Rebels +29.5 at 0.89/1 at Playabets
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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