We take a look at the 2 Super Rugby Aotearoa matches taking place this weekend and suggest a bet in each of them.
Let’s begin with a look at the Outright Betting where the Crusaders remain firm favourites at 5/10 with the Blues 21/10 and you can get 11/1 the Chiefs and 50/1 and better the balance.
Click here for Super Rugby Aotearoa Outright Betting
HIGHLANDERS v BLUES
The Highlanders lost to the Chiefs in overtime last week, 26-23 after the teams finished 23-23 at the end of regulation time. Both of their wins this season have come on the road and they have also lost, at home, to the Hurricanes by 11 and the Crusaders by 13.
The Blues are coming off a bye having beaten the Hurricanes 27-17 at home in their last start. Looking at their away record they have lost to the Chiefs by 3 and beaten the Hurricanes by 15.
When these sides met in Auckland earlier this season the Blues came out comfortable winners 39-17 despite the Highlanders going into the lead early.
BETTING- Click here to bet
Highlanders 19/10
Draw 28/1
Blues 5/10
Handicap: Highlanders (+5.5) at 9/10, Blues (-5.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Half-time / Full-time Blues / Blues at 9/10
The Highlanders are suffering from quite an injury crisis at the moment and the Blues have named a strong looking team. I think they can grab the initiative of this game early and hold it through the second-half.
CHIEFS v CRUSADERS
The Chiefs were well backed last week in their trip to Dunedin, but they required overtime to beat the Highlanders, having missed a couple of opportunities to clinch the match in regulation time.
They are back at home where they beat the Blues by 3 points in a low scoring encounter and lost in Round 2 to the Highlanders by 16 points.
The Crusaders are still strong favourites to win the Tournament, but they haven't been at their best in recent weeks, drawing 27-27 with the Hurricanes last week before winning with a dropped goal in overtime and the week before that they lost 33-12 to the Highlanders at home.
Looking at their other away matches this season they beat the Blues by 16 points in a high scoring encounter in Auckland and beat the Highlanders by 13 in Dunedin back in Round 1.
These sides met earlier in the season with the Crusaders running out comfortable 39-17 winners in Christchurch and this fixture finished 32-19 to the Crusaders last season.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Chiefs 9/4
Draw 28/1
Crusaders 4/10
Handicap: Chiefs (+6.5) at 9/10, Crusaders (-6.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Chiefs (+6.5) at 9/10
Going against the Crusaders always feels like a risky move, but they just haven't been at their prolific best in recent weeks and I think they are worth taking on, on current form.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
