Super Rugby Aotearoa continues this weekend and we take a look at the 2 matches from a betting angle.
Let’s start with a look at the Outright Betting where the Crusaders are still firm favourites at 4/10, despite showing signs of weakness in recent weeks. The Blues are 4/1 with the Chiefs 9/2 and you can get a 100/1 and better the balance.
Click here for Super Rugby Aotearoa Outright Betting
CHIEFS v HURRICANES
This match takes place in Hamilton on Friday and the Chiefs are still very much in contention for a final place having broken a lengthy losing run with 4 successive victories. Last week they stunned the Crusaders 26-25 in Hamilton and the week before that required extra time to beat the Highlanders in Dunedin.
Looking at previous home matches they beat the Blues by 3 in a low scoring encounter and lost early on in the comp to the Highlanders by 16.
The Hurricanes have been disappointing this season and currently sit bottom of the table. They had last week off, but prior to that pushed the Crusaders all the way, going down 30-27 in extra time over in Christchurch.
Looking at their other away matches they went down by 10 points to the Blues in Auckland, beat the Highlanders by 11 points in their best match of the season in Dunedin and lost by 17 points to the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Earlier this season it was the Chiefs who came out on top 35-29 in Wellington and this fixture was won 25-18 by the Hurricanes in last year’s Super Rugby Aotearoa.
BETTING - Click here to bet
Chiefs 8/15
Draw 25/1
Hurricanes 18/10
Handicap: Chiefs (-5.5) at 9/10, Hurricanes (+5.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Winning Margin, Chiefs under 12.5 points at 7/4
These New Zealand derbies are often tight affairs and this bet would have landed in 3 out of the last 4 meetings between the sides.
CRUSADERS v BLUES
South African fans have to wait until Sunday morning for this one and it should be an absolute cracker in Christchurch.
The Crusaders, as mentioned above, are still trading as short-priced favourites to win the Tournament, but they have definitely lost their aura of invincibility going down in Hamilton last week to the Chiefs, requiring extra time the week before that against the Hurricanes in Wellington and prior to that they lost at home to the Highlanders.
Their other home games this season saw them beat the Hurricanes by 17 and the Chiefs by 22.
The Blues were disappointing last week going down 35-29 against the Highlanders away. Prior to that they had beaten the Hurricanes by 10 points in a hard fought encounter in Auckland and looking at the other away matches this season they lost to the Chiefs by 3 and the Hurricanes by 15.
When these sides met in Auckland earlier this season the Crusaders won a high scoring encounter 43-27 and the Crusaders won this fixture 26-15 last season.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Crusaders 9/20
Draw 25/1
Blues 21/10
Handicap: Crusaders (-6.5) at 9/10, Blues (+6.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Crusaders (-6.5) at 9/10
The Crusaders haven't been at their best, but then in my opinion neither have the Blues and I think the home team will put everything into this game knowing they can sit back and watch next week as they have a bye.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
