We are into Week 8 of the New Zealand Super Rugby competition and we take a look at both of the matches and suggest a bet in each.
The Crusaders are still firm favourites at 1/7 despite losing their first game last week against the Hurricanes. The Blues are 13/2 and you can get 12/1 about the Hurricanes, but if you are looking for a longer term play perhaps the Top Try Scorer market is more competitive and here we have Will Jordan 6/10 ahead of Sevu Reece at 5/1.
Outright Betting update, last week’s prices in brackets - Click here to bet
Crusaders 1/7 (1/14)
Blues 13/2 (9/1)
Hurricanes 12/1 (22/1)
Highlanders 200/1 (100/1)
Chiefs (500/1)
CHIEFS v CRUSADERS – Click here to bet
The Chiefs handicap has come in following the announcement of the teams. The Chiefs are still looking for their first win and last week they went down by 4 points away to the Blues. They started the game slowly and came back well and were perhaps a bit unfortunate not to win it in the end. In other home matches this season they went down by 2 points to the Highlanders, by 7 points to the Hurricanes and by 12 points to the Blues.
The Crusaders march to the title was halted, probably temporarily last week when they went down 34-32 to the Hurricanes. Their away games this season have seen them beat the Highlanders by 20 points in Dunedin and the Hurricanes by 14 points in Wellington.
BETTING
Chiefs 9/4
Draw 30/1
Crusaders 4/10
Handicap: Chiefs (+6.5) at 9/10, Crusaders (-6.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: The Chiefs to win at 9/4
The Crusaders look more vulnerable than they have in some time and this is bound to be another close match. I think the value lies with the Chiefs to bag their first victory.
HIGHLANDERS v BLUES – Click here to bet
The Highlanders are coming off a bye having come from behind to beat the Chiefs 33-31 in Hamilton. The Highlanders have only taken one heavy defeat this season and that was 40-20 at home to the Crusaders, however two late tries from the visitors certainly skewed the score line.
The Blues held off a fast finishing Chiefs to win 21-17 at home last week to keep their title hopes alive. In away games this season the Blues lost by 11 to the Crusaders and they beat the Chiefs away by 12 points.
The Blues beat the Highlanders 27-24 at home earlier in the season.
BETTING
Highlanders 16/10
Draw 28/1
Blues 11/20
Handicap: Highlanders (+4.5) at 9/10, Blues (-4.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Tribet, any other result at 19/10
For this bet to arrive either side must win the game by 7 points or less or it could be a draw. Given how tight these New Zealand derbies are this looks a cracking price.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
