Super Rugby Aotearoa, Week 3 takes place on Saturday and Sunday and we take a look at both games from a betting angle.
Outright Betting update, last week’s prices in brackets - Click here to bet
Crusaders 7/10 (9/10)
Blues 5/2 (4/1)
Chiefs 17/2 (9/2)
Highlanders 10/1 (12/1)
Hurricanes 33/1 (13/2)
The Crusaders have shortened from 9/10 to 7/10 after an impressive opening performance away at the Hurricanes. The Blues who were available at 6/1 before the Tournament started and 4/1 last week are into 5/2, while the Chiefs have drifted and the Highlanders have come in slightly from 12/1 to 10/1 despite not getting on the park last week.
Sevu Reece looked sharp last week for the Crusaders and he is the current favourite at 5/1 to be the Top Try Scorer in this Tournament.
BLUES V HIGHLANDERS – click here to bet
The Blues opened their campaign with an impressive home win over the Hurricanes and they followed that up by beating the Chiefs on the road, for the first time since 2011. They started the match (+2.5) point underdogs and were probably somewhat fortunate to lead at half-time after conceding loads of first-half penalties. They tightened up on their discipline in the second-half though and ran out comfortable 24-12 victors. The Blues now find themselves in an unfamiliar position of strong favourites heading into a New Zealand Derby.
Looking at the Outright Betting you would think this is a two horse race between the Crusaders and the Blues, but we mustn’t forget that the Highlanders have only played once and they beat the Chiefs at home. They do look to have a tough task on their hands here and the last time they played the Blues in Auckland was in 2019 with the home team winning 33-26.
BETTING
Blues 1/4
Draw 33/1
Highlanders 7/2
Handicap: Blues (-10.5) at 9/10, Highlanders (+10.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Alternative winning margin, Blues 11-20 points inclusive at 3/1
This handicap looks well set, but I am leaning towards the Blues and at the same time I can’t see them running away with this so the 11-20 point winning margin appeals at some value.
CRUSADERS V CHIEFS – click here to bet
The Crusaders overcame a penalty count which was leaning heavily against them in the first-half to comfortably beat the Hurricanes 39-25 on the road in their first match of this Tournament. There seems to be some debate as to whether the Hurricanes were just very poor for the Crusaders were impressive, but personally I thought it was a very good performance by the favourites.
The Chiefs have lost both of their opening games, away at the Highlanders and at home to the Blues and they are now 21/10 second favourites to finish bottom of the New Zealand Conference. They have a lengthy injury list and are certainly battling in the engine room and in particular in the lineouts.
These sides met earlier in the year in Hamilton with the Chiefs winning 25-15, but the last time they met in Christchurch was in 2019 with the Crusaders winning 57-28.
BETTING
Crusaders 1/4
Draw 33/1
Chiefs 7/2
Handicap: Crusaders (-10.5) at 9/10, Chiefs (+10.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Winning Margin, Crusaders over 12.5 points at 11/10
New Zealand derbies tend to be tight affairs, but if you look at the Crusaders recent home record against the Chiefs they have won by margins of 29, 22 and 14 points and given how different these teams have looked in the opening matches the 11/10 they win by 13 or more appeals as a solid bet.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
