We take a look at the 2 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman matches taking place on Friday and suggest a bet in each.
Let’s start with a look at the Outright Betting where the Crusaders, who have won their opening 3 matches, are trading at 8/13 favourites. The interesting thing about this is that they do not have their destiny in their own hands as if the Blues and Hurricanes can win both their last matches with bonus points they would be guaranteed to finish on top of the Crusaders. Both sides play some tougher Australian opposition though and it would be a brave man to bet against the Crusaders.
Looking at the other odds, the Blues are 7/2, the Canes 7/1, the Highlanders 7/1 and you can get 14/1 the Chiefs.
Click here for Outright Betting
CRUSADERS v WESTERN FORCE
The Crusaders were too strong for the Waratahs away last week winning 54-28 in an entertaining encounter. Prior to that they put in their best performance of the Tournament with a 63-28 win against the Reds in Brisbane and they opened their campaign with a hard fought 31-29 home win over the Brumbies, a match where they failed to bag the bonus point which could yet prove costly.
The Force were absolutely hammered last week, going down 43-6 to the Hurricanes away and prior to that they lost by 10 to the Highlanders at home and in the opening week almost beat the Chiefs going down 20-19 in Perth.
These sides last met in Christchurch back in 2017 with the Crusaders winning 45-17.
BETTING - Click here to bet
Crusaders 1/50
Draw 80/1
Western Force 25/1
Handicap: Crusaders (-29.5) at 9/10, Western Force (+29.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Alternative Winning Margin, Crusaders 31-40 points inclusive at 33/10
There has been some handicap movement in this game with the opening call of Crusaders (-33.5) coming into (-29.5) and that is because the Crusaders are resting a couple of key players including star fly half, Richie Mo’unga. I still think they will get the cap though but I am not as confident now and will take a longer price play that the margin is 31-40 points inclusive.
REDS v BLUES
The Reds restored some pride to Australian rugby with a brilliant 40-34 win at home against the Chiefs last weekend. They had previously been hammered by 35 points away at the Crusaders and also lost their opening encounter, by 21 points, away at the Highlanders.
The Blues have crucially taken bonus point wins from all of their opening 3 games starting with a 47 point win over the Rebels away before beating the Waratahs by 27 at home and the Brumbies by 28 points also at home. They know if they can win their last 2 games with bonus points they will make the final, but it is certainly not going to be easy against the Reds if they can reproduce the sort of form they showed last week.
Last time these sides met in Brisbane it was the Reds winning 29-28 back in 2019.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Reds 5/2
Draw 30/1
Blues 37/100
Handicap: Reds (+8.5) at 9/10, Blues (-8.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Reds (+8.5) at 9/10
Can the Reds produce such a strong showing two weeks in a row? Yes, I suspect they can and I think they can run this Blues side close if not beat them.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
