Super Rugby Aotearoa is drawing to a close and the Crusaders look well poised to wrap up the Title this weekend. We take a look at both games from a betting angle.
A quick look at the Outright Betting for what it is worth and the Crusaders are now 1/100 for the Title, the Blues 16/1 and the Hurricanes 200/1
Outright Betting update, last week’s prices in brackets - Click here to bet
Crusaders 1/100 (1/7)
Blues 16/1 (13/2)
Hurricanes 200/1 (12/1)
HURRICANES v CHIEFS – Click here to bet
The Hurricanes are coming off a bye having beaten the Crusaders 34-32 in Christchurch before their break. The Hurricanes lost their opening two games of the Tournament, but since then they have reeled off victories against the Blues, Highlanders, Chiefs and Crusaders.
The Chiefs play their final match of the competition and they have lost all 7 to date. They were very disappointing at home last week, going down by 13 points to the Crusaders and in the reverse fixture with the Hurricanes who triumphed 25-18 in Hamilton.
BETTING
Hurricanes 9/20
Draw 28/1
Chiefs 2/1
Handicap: Hurricanes (-6.5) at 9/10, Chiefs (+6.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Hurricanes (-6.5) at 9/10
People are talking about the fact that Chiefs coach, Warren Gatland will be desperate for the victory, but while that is the case I can’t see that things are going to be much different this week. The Hurricanes have hit some excellent form are coming off a break and they can put this Chief side away winning by 7 or more.
CRUSADERS v HIGHLANDERS – Click here to bet
The Crusaders bounced back from a defeat to the Hurricanes with a comfortable 13 point win over the Chiefs away last week. They played the Highlanders earlier in the season scoring a couple of late tries to run out 20 point victors in Dunedin. Their only defeat to date was against the Hurricanes at home.
The Highlanders were outplayed by the Blues in Dunedin last week going down by 9 points. Their away performances this season has been solid with a win against the Chiefs and narrow defeats to the Blues and the Hurricanes.
Looking at recent head-to-head form between the sides in Christchurch, the Crusaders have won the last 3 matches by 17, 24 and 26 points respectively.
BETTING
Crusaders 1/8
Draw 40/1
Highlanders 13/2
Handicap: Crusaders (-16.5) at 9/10, Highlanders (+16.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Half-Time Result, Handicap Crusaders (-7.5) at 9/10
The Match Handicap looks well set and this Crusaders team has shown a tendency to step off the gas at times. I expect a strong start though as they look to assert their authority on the Highlanders and wrap the Tournament up and will back the home team here to lead by 8 points or more at the break.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
