Punters can look forward to another thrilling weekend of Super Rugby Aotearoa action starting on Friday morning with the Highlanders against the Hurricanes. We take a look at both games from a betting angle.
Let’s start with a look at the Outright Betting where the Crusaders have firmed 40/85 favourites ahead of the Blues at 9/4. This is almost been priced as a two-horse race now with the Highlanders 22/1 and you can get 25/1 and better the balance.
Click here Super Rugby Aotearoa Outright Betting
HIGHLANDERS v HURRICANES
The Highlanders are coming off a bye having gone down by 22 points to the Blues away in their last start. They had beaten the Chiefs on the road and their only home game this season was a 13 point loss to the table topping Crusaders in Round 1.
The Hurricanes are yet to have a victory in 3 attempts and last week they went down by 6 points to the Chiefs in a thrilling contest, 35-29 in Wellington. It was a game they should have won though as they were very much in control at the break before letting the Chiefs back in to grab the win. Prior to that they lost by 17 points in Christchurch and by 15 points at home against the Blues.
Looking at head-to-head form between the sides, they met in Dunedin in Super Rugby Aotearoa last season with the Highlanders winning by 17 points and the Hurricanes had won at home in Wellington by 6 points.
BETTING- Click here to bet
Highlanders 13/20
Draw 25/1
Hurricanes 29/20
Handicap: Highlanders (-3.5) at 9/10, Hurricanes (+3.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Hurricanes win at 29/20
The Hurricanes haven't impressed me so far, but looking at their team sheet backline in particular I give them an edge in this match and I think they are worth backing for their first win of the season.
CHIEFS v BLUES
The Chiefs broke a lengthy losing streak when they came from behind to beat the Hurricanes 35-29 last week. They had previously lost by 22 points to the Crusaders on the road and by 16 points to the Highlanders at home.
Many fancied the Blues to upset the Crusaders last week when they hosted them in Auckland, but the Crusaders were too strong, winning 43-27 in an exciting match where the log leaders were always in control. The Blues had previously beaten the Highlanders by 22 points and the Hurricanes by 15 points on the road.
Last season the Blues beat the Chiefs 21-17 at home and also won in Hamilton by 24-12.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Chiefs 18/10
Draw 25/1
Blues 8/15
Handicap: Chiefs (+5.5) at 9/10, Blues (-5.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Winning Margin, Blues under 12.5 points at 17/10
The Chiefs have been quite hard hit by injuries and I do think that the Blues will be too strong for them. This should be a typical competitive New Zealand derby though and I am going for the visitors to win, but by no more than 12 points.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
