The final of the Super Rugby Aotearoa takes place in Christchurch on Saturday and the Crusaders are warm favourites to defend their title against the visiting Chiefs. We take a look at the game from a betting angle.
The Crusaders earned home ground advantage by virtue of topping the log, but they were no always at their best particularly over the second-half of the season where they lost to the Highlanders at home and the Chiefs on the road.
Last week the Crusaders had a bye but prior to that they bounced back to some pretty solid form with a 29-6 win over the Blues in Christchurch. Looking at other home matches they have played this season, they beat the Hurricanes 33-16 and the Chiefs 39-17 finishing with 3 wins and 1 draw in their home matches.
The Chiefs had already guaranteed their 2nd spot prior to last weekend so they fielded a much weakened side away to the Blues and despite fielding a weakened side they were very competitive earlier on against the Blues only conceding some late tries to go down 39-19 in Auckland.
They had opened their campaign with successive losses at home to the Highlanders and away to the Crusaders and after that they reeled off 5 successive victories before last weekend’s defeat. That included away wins over the Hurricanes by 6 and the Highlanders by 3 with the Highlanders win coming in extra time. That extra time clash was won by the boot of Damian McKenzie and he was also responsible for the Chiefs 1 point win over the Crusaders in Wellington just 3 weeks ago.
BETTING - Click here to bet
Crusaders 2/7
Draw 30/1
Chiefs 33/10
Handicap: Crusaders (-9.5) at 9/10, Chiefs (+9.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Half-time/Full-time, Chiefs/Crusaders at 5/1
I am expecting the Chiefs to come out firing and this should certainly be a cracking first-half. My money is on the visitors to lead at the break with the Crusaders coming back to win the game and take the title.
Keep an eye on the betting for more markets including a Total and Team Points Line as kick-off approaches and there will also be in-running odds on the game.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
