We take a look at the 3 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman matches taking place on Saturday and suggest a bet in each.
WARATAHS v CRUSADERS
This game takes place in Wollongong and the Waratahs will be looking to stop the leaking of points as they conceded 64 to the Hurricanes in Round 1 and 48 to the Blues at Eden Park last week. They have shown an ability to score though getting 48 points themselves against the Canes and 3 converted tries last week against the Blues.
The Crusaders won Super Ruby Aotearoa without really putting a team to the sword, but last week they took on Australian Champions, the Reds and absolutely hammered them in Brisbane 63-28 with fly half Richie Mo”unga having an absolute blinder. The week before they were pushed in Christchurch by the Brumbies winning 31-29.
BETTING - Click here to bet
Waratahs 25/1
Draw 80/1
Crusaders 1/50
Handicap: Waratahs (+32.5) at 9/10, Crusaders (-32.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Alternative Winning Margin, Crusaders by 41-50 points inclusive at 7/2
These high handicap games are difficult to call, but I do think the Crusaders will run away with this at some point and will take a stab at the winning margin being between 40 and 50 points and will also throw a couple of rand at Richie Mo”unga to be first try scorer at 14/1.
BLUES v BRUMBIES
Blues disappointed in Super Rugby Aotearoa, but they have looked solid in Trans-Tasman so far, beating the Waratahs by 27 points in Auckland last week (all be it the handicap started at 32.5 points) and the week before they hammered the Rebels 53 in Melbourne.
The Brumbies opened up their campaign by giving the Crusaders a big scare in Christchurch going down 31-29, but they were well beaten last week by the Chiefs losing 40-19, a game where they started 6.5 point underdogs.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Blues 1/5
Draw 35/1
Brumbies 9/2
Handicap: Blues (-13.5) at 9/10, Brumbies (+13.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Brumbies (+13.5) at 9/10
The Brumbies were off the pace last week, but I expect improvement and they now play the inconsistent Blues and I think they will push them close
REDS v CHIEFS
The Reds may have won the Super Rugby AU competition, but they have been firmly put in their place the last 2 weeks, going down by 21 points at home to the Highlanders and then losing 63-28 to the Crusaders last week and even that score line probably flattered them.
The Chiefs looked shaky in their opening encounter against the Force in Perth eventually winning 20-19, but last week they were in far better form, hammering the Brumbies 40-19 at home.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Reds 22/10
Draw 30/1
Chiefs 9/20
Handicap: Reds (+7.5) at 9/10, Chiefs (-7.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Winning Margin, Chiefs under 12.5 points at 18/10
The Reds may have come back down to earth after their final win, but I also expect them to come back strongly in this game and think that they could push the Chiefs all the way. At the end of the day though the New Zealand side should be too strong and I will take them to win by 1 to 12 points.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
