Super Rugby Aotearoa, Week 4 takes place over Saturday and Sunday this weekend and we take a look at the Outright Betting markets as well as the two matches.
Outright Betting update, last week’s prices in brackets - Click Here to bet
Crusaders 4/6 (7/10)
Blues 9/4 (5/2)
Highlanders 10/1 (10/1)
Chiefs 11/1 (17/2)
Hurricanes 45/1 (33/1)
The Crusaders remain firm favourites at 4/6 with the Blues now priced at 9/4 and clearly their biggest rivals. All of the other teams are priced at double figures, but is it too early to call this a 2 horse race?
Other markets of interest include the Hurricanes to finish bottom at 8/11 with the Chiefs at 19/10. Damian Mckenzie has shortened to 11/10 in the Top Points Scorer market with Richie Mounga, his market rival, at 37/20 and Sevu Reece remains favourite in the Top Try Scorer market at 5/1.
HIGHLANDERS v CRUSADERS – Click Here to bet
The Highlanders were originally favourites to finish bottom of the table, but they edged the Chiefs in their opening encounter and last week came very close to rolling the Blues in Auckland. They are a team that punch above their weight and while they have lost their last 4 matches to the Crusaders, all of those have been in Christchurch and the last time these teams met in Dunedin the Highlanders edged it 25-17 in 2018.
The Crusaders were convincing winners in their opening encounter against the Hurricanes, but last week they were made to fight hard by the Chiefs eventually winning by 5 points.
BETTING
Highlanders 7/2
Draw 28/1
Crusaders 1/4
Handicap: Highlanders (+10.5) at 9/10, Crusaders (-10.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Alternative Winning Margin Crusaders by 11-20 points inclusive at 26/10
The Crusaders haven't been at their best yet as this New Zealand Super Ruby Tournament started, but I think they will pack too much class for this Highlanders side. The handicap looks fairly well set and rather than take the minus I am going for the Crusaders to beat it, but for the score line to be respectable with the winning margin of 11 to 20 points for the visitors.
CHIEFS v HURRICANES – Click Here to bet
The Chiefs started this tournament as 2nd favourites but they have been disappointing losing away to the Highlanders, at home to the Blues and away to the Crusaders. Time is running out for them and they know nothing less than a victory will do here.
The Hurricanes have also lost both of their opening matches away to the Blues and then at home to the Crusaders. They will need big improvement from their pack if they are to win this one .
BETTING
Chiefs 40/85
Draw 25/1
Hurricanes 19/10
Handicap: Chiefs(-5.5) at 9/10, Hurricanes (+5.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Hurricanes win at 19/10
No handicap for me in this one, I am going for the Hurricanes to beat a Chiefs side that must be feeling the pace of entering a 4th successive New Zealand derby weekend.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
