The Hurricanes host the Rebels in Round 14 of Super Rugby Pacific in Wellington on Saturday and the Canes start as firm favourites with the bookmakers.
Hurricanes v Rebels, Saturday 21st May, Wellington, KO 09:05 (South African time)
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Refs: Mike Fraser, Mike Winter
TMO: Richard Kelly
Weather Forecast – Wellington
Hurricanes:
The Canes were 6.5 point favourites for last week's clash with the Waratahs at Leichhardt Oval and they came back from 15-0 down at half time to edge the contest 22-18, scoring the decisive try late on.
Earlier results against Australian opposition delivered mixed results with a 30-17 win over the Reds in the Super Round in Melbourne followed by a 42-25 loss to the Brumbies in Canberra.
The Canes have 7 wins and 5 defeats against their name and they have 33 log points, fifth overall and 3 shy of the fourth placed Chiefs. In the outright betting they are 10/1 to win the tournament.
Rebels:
The Rebels were given around 17.5 points start for last week's home game against the Chiefs but only a late try denied them victory as they eventually went down 33-30.
In earlier results against NZ opposition the Rebels crashed and burned 71-28 to the Blues at Eden Park and they were beaten 52-17 by the Crusaders in Melbourne in Super Round.
In between those defeats the Rebels beat Moana Pasifika 26-22 in Melbourne and their only other wins came at home to Fijian Drua (42-27) and 22-21 away to the Force.
With 3 wins and 9 defeats against their name the Rebels come into this round fourth from bottom in the standings with 16 log points, 6 behind the Highlanders who occupy the last of the play off places.
Team News (subject to change)
Hurricanes: Tevita Mafileo, Dane Coles, Tyrel Lomax, James Blackwell, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Blake Gibson, Du'Plessis Kirifi, TK Howden, TJ Perenara, Aidan Morgan, Salesi Rayasi, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Julian Savea, Ruben Love
Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Owen Franks, Scott Scrafton, Caleb Delany, Jamie Booth, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Wes Goosen
Rebels: Matt Gibbon, Jordan Uelese, Pone Fa’amausili, Matt Philip, Rob Leota, Michael Wells (c), Brad Wilkin, Tamati Ioane, James Tuttle, Carter Gordon, Glen Vaihu, Matt To'omua, Andrew Kellaway, George Worth, Reece Hodge
Reserves: James Hanson, Cameron Orr, Cabous Eloff, Josh Canham, Richard Hardwick, Joe Powell, Lukas Ripley, Nick Jooste
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Hurricanes -18.5 points at 9/10
Rebels +19.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
I handicapped this game as Hurricanes -22.5 and I am almost happy to take the -18.5 on offer. The Rebels certainly performed well last week against the Chiefs, but on New Zealand soil I think they are going to find the Hurricanes a very different proposition. The Canes showed plenty of heart in coming back against the Waratahs last week, but I am expecting no nervous moments in this one and will back them to win the game by 19 points or more.
BET: 5 Units Hurricanes -18.5 at 9/10 Hollywoodbets
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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