We head into Round 14 of Super Rugby Pacific with the playoff race tightening up nicely and several sides now running out of opportunities to force their way into contention. In this blog we will focus on the betting angle.
ROUND 13 RESULTS
Crusaders 36-20 Blues – The Crusaders started -5.5 and my bet on the Blues to win was in trouble a long way out
Reds 21-31 Chiefs – The Chiefs started -5.5 but my biggest play of the weekend was under 58.5 which looked like trotting up but almost lost after a late burst of points
Highlanders 31-26 Waratahs – The Waratahs came from well down to beat the handicap of +7.5 but I was greedy here and backed them to win at 12/5
Moana Pasifika 17-50 Hurricanes – The Hurricanes started -30.5 and delivered the handicap and my bet of Moana over 16.5 snuck home
Brumbies 32-15 Western Force- The Brumbies were -5.5 and I took a small interest in the 1-12 at 18/10 but the Force were well beaten in the end
LEAGUE TABLE UPDATE
The Hurricanes remain top with 45 points after another dominant attacking display. They now hold a five-point cushion over the Chiefs, who moved to 40 points with their win over the Reds.
The Blues stay 3rd on 38 points despite losing in Christchurch, while the Crusaders climbed to 4th with 32 points and look increasingly dangerous after a slow start to the season.
The Brumbies sit 5th on 29 points and remain well placed, while the Reds (11 games played) round out the current top six on 27 points.
Outside the playoff positions with 3 rounds remaining, games played in brackets):
- Highlanders: 24 pts (12)
- Waratahs: 21 pts (11)
- Fijian Drua: 20 pts (11)
- Western Force: 18 pts (11)
Moana Pasifika remain anchored at the bottom.
ROUND 14 FIXTURES
Chiefs vs Highlanders
Fijian Drua vs Waratahs
Blues vs Hurricanes
Western Force vs Reds
I will be back with my projected handicaps tonight