Super Rugby Trans-Tasman concludes this weekend with the Blues taking on the Highlanders in the Final at Eden Park in Auckland. We take a look at the game from a betting angle.
This may well be the first and the last Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Final and it certainly is a strange Tournament when the first place finisher wins all their matches, but fails to qualify for the Final.
New Zealand dominated the competition winning 23 of the 25 matches and the Highlanders and the Blues took 23 out of a maximum possible 25 points. Both sides will be looking to take their chance at grabbing some silverware with the Crusaders having failed to beat the Rebels by the required points last weekend.
The Blues raced to a 28-0 lead by half-time against the Force at home last week and then stepped off the gas to allow the visitors in with the final score line finishing 31-21.
The Highlanders had a tougher task away at the Brumbies, knowing that they needed a bonus point win to put pressure on to the Crusaders. They did just that winning 33-12 which in the end was just enough to book their spot in the Final.
Looking at recent head-to-head clashes between the sides, they met twice this year in Super Rugby Aotearoa with the Highlanders winning 35-29 in Dunedin and the Blues 39-17 at Auckland.
Both sides have got injury problems heading into this match.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Blues 4/10
Draw 28/1
Highlanders 23/10
Handicap: Blues (-6.5) at 9/10, Highlanders (+6.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Blues (-6.5) at 9/10
The Blues for me were the pick of the New Zealand sides in the Tournament and I think they have the pack that can get on top of this Highlanders side and grind out a victory by 7 points or more.
A quick word of conditions which look like being good for the game and it will certainly be worth looking at the Points Lines and Total Tries Markets closer to kick-off.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
