Round 7 is here, and it’s time for another Super Rugby preview and best bets as the season heats up.
The Highlanders were dominated at home by a much better Hurricanes side last time out, conceding 50 unanswered points after scoring their only try in the very early stages of the game.
Moana, on the other hand, kept things close with the Crusaders on Saturday before the score blew out a bit down the stretch as fatigue set in, allowing more space for both sides to attack.
Come Friday evening, both teams will be relying on some of their big names, and based on the defence shown by both sides last week, there is a real case for points to flow early and often in this one.
Best: Over 60.5 total points @ $1.90
Next: Moana Pasifika +15.5 @ $1.90
Tryscorer: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens @ $1.92
SGM: Over 60.5 total points/Moana Pasifika +15.5/Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens anytime tryscorer @ $5.93
The Brumbies were able to pull off a stellar win last time out against the Chiefs in what was a bizarre game. I feel the New Zealand side let some of their key opportunities slip and gave the Brumbies a bit of a get out of jail free card a few times.
For the Waratahs, they had a similar game script against the red hot Blues. In a sense, they did come up short in the end, but it was more their own self-inflicted wounds that slowed them down and cost them opportunities for a win.
When it comes to these high profile Australian clashes, there tends to be some random outcomes, with both sides seemingly evening the playing field. For me, neither side is playing their best rugby, but just based on quality, I think the Brumbies can win this in a close one.
Best: Brumbies 1 – 12 @ $2.70
Next: Under 56.5 total points @ $1.90
Tryscorer: Max Jorgensen @ $2.02
SGM: Brumbies 1 – 12/Under 56.5 total points/Max Jorgensen anytime tryscorer @ $10.99
Game of the round is up next for me, as the best Australian side right now takes on the leading New Zealand team, the Hurricanes, in some afternoon footy in the capital.
The Hurricanes are coming off a demolition job against the Highlanders, where they fired a genuine warning shot to the rest of the competition, showing just how potent their attack can be. The big worry for other sides is that they are only just getting up to full strength, so there’s a sense we haven’t even seen the best of the Canes yet.
For the Reds, they are on just as good a run and are coming off one of the most impressive wins of the season, beating the Drua at home, which many of the top sides in the competition, including the Hurricanes, haven’t been able to do.
When it comes to picking a tip in this one, it’s hard to look past the Hurricanes, as they are not only playing like the best team in the competition but doing it in such a scintillating fashion. I don’t think they will blow out the Reds like they did the Highlanders, but I can see a solid 1 to 12 win for the home side.
Best: Hurricanes 1 – 12 @ $3.20
Next: Reds +13.5 @ $1.95
Tryscorer: Cam Roigard @ $1.92
SGM: Hurricanes 1 – 12/Cam Roigard anytime tryscorer/Tim Ryan anytime tryscorer @ $11.85
The Blues are another side putting their hand up early in the season as one of the best in the competition. They are coming off yet another win last time out against the Waratahs, as discussed, and with Beauden Barrett back at the helm, look a much different side compared to the first couple of weeks.
For the Drua, this is where their season becomes make or break, as they have their trump card of playing at home, but with so many of those fixtures already out of the way, they need to somehow pick up competition points on the road, which has historically been a struggle.
This weekend shapes up no differently, as the Blues are playing some very good footy and the Drua will need to produce a strong performance to get over the line in Auckland. Personally, it just seems like a step too far for the Drua, who are also coming off a disappointing loss to the Reds, and it would not surprise me to see the home side pile on the points.
Best: Over 57.5 total points @ $1.87
Next: Blues -20.5 @ $1.87
Tryscorer: AJ Lam @ $2.10
SGM: Blues -20.5/Over 57.5 total points/AJ Lam anytime tryscorer @ $4.74
The last game of the round should act as a bit of a get-right game for the Chiefs, who, as mentioned, had a tough loss last time out to the Brumbies, in which they certainly had their chances to win.
For the Force, this season has been much the same and maybe as expected, sitting second to last on the table, but perhaps they have found something in the tank coming off a bye and having two weeks to prepare for this Chiefs side.
For the visitors, they have made a big selection change, reintroducing Josh Jacomb into the No. 10 jersey, which means Damian McKenzie will move back to the fullback position. For McKenzie, the hope will be that it allows him more space to operate while also playing with greater freedom, which could certainly boost his side’s chances.
Best: Chiefs -14.5 @ $2.90
Next: Chiefs 13+ @ $1.60
Tryscorer: Damian Mckenzie @ $2.02
SGM: Chiefs -14.5/Emoni Narawa anytime tryscorer/Damian Mckenzie anytime tryscorer @ $4.90