The Rebels host the Force in Melbourne in Round 2 of Super Rugby Pacific on Saturday, both teams lost their opening match and the betting suggests there will be little between the sides.
Rebels v Force, Saturday 26th February, Melbourne, KO 10:45 (South African time)
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistants: Jordan Way, James Palmer
Weather Forecast – Melbourne
Rebels:
The Rebels opening match ended in a 23-5 defeat away to the Reds in Brisbane. They started the game as 10.5 point underdogs and trailed 13-5 at half time. The Rebels turned the ball over 23 times in wet conditions last weekend and they now return to Melbourne after a lengthy absence.
The Rebels are currently trading at around 100/1 in the outright betting to win the tournament, the biggest price of any side bar the newcomers Fijian Drua and
Moana Pasifika.
Force:
The Force also lost their opening match but they gave the Brumbies a real fright in Canberra. They lost the game 29-23 with the decisive score being a Brumbies converted try in the 79th minute just after the Force had worked their way into the lead. The Force started that game as 10.5 point underdogs, they were just 10-9 down at half time and Pulu and McGregor were their try scorers, both converted by Prior who also landed 3 penalties.
The Force are currently trading at around 80/1 in the outright betting to win the tournament
Team News
Rebels: Cameron Orr, Jordan Uelese, Cabous Eboff, Matt Philip, Ross Haylett-Petty, Sam Wallis, Brad Wilkin, Michael Wells (c), Joe Powell, Matt To'ouma, Glen Vaihu, Raymond Nu’u, Stacey Ili, Lachie Anderson, Reece Hodge
Replacements: James Hanson, Matt Gibbon, Sef Fa’agase, Thomas Nowlan, Tamati Ioane, James Tuttle, Carter Gordon, Young Tonumaipea
Force: Tom Robertson, Feleti Kaitu'u (c), Santiago Medrano, Fergus Lee-Warner, Izack Rodda, Brynard Stander, Kane Koteka, Tim Anstee, Ian Prior, Reesjan Pasitoa, Manasa Mataele, Richard Kahui, Kyle Godwin, Toni Pulu, Jake Strachan
Replacements: Andrew Ready, Harrison Lloyd, Greg Holmes, Ryan McCauley, Ollie Callan, Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa, Jake McIntyre, Byron Ralston
The Betting, Need to open an account? Claim your 1st deposit bonus of up to R2,000 here
Rebels 19/20
Draw 22/1
Force 21/20
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
I handicapped this game Rebels +2.5 an after watching the Force last week I am happy to back them on the board at just over even money. The Rebels still seem to lack direction and a well drilled Force team can take the points.
The panel were in agreement on last nights #TheHandicap our rugby betting show - Click here for the video preview of Rebels v Force
Bet: 5 units Force win at 21/20 at WSB
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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