Super Rugby Round 5
The Form Guide
Another fantastic round of Super Rugby last weekend, with some upsets, some blow-outs, and some cracking finishes. The Rebels continued their best ever season start with a convincing win over the listless Brumbies. Dan McKellar has some work to do to get the Brumbies back on track, while Melbourne fans will be salivating at the prospect of how far this team could go. Amanaki Mafi is almost unstoppable, unless you are a halfback with a cheeky punch, while Will Genia is steering this team like the champion he is. Sterner tests await, obviously, but they've done everything right so far.
Elsewhere in the Australian conference, the Reds continue to improve under Brad Thorn, and this week they added some flair to their already formidable set piece. The building blocks are slowly being put in place. The Waratahs, on the other hand, were blown away early in Argentina, a worrying sign for a team that looks so strong on paper.
The Kiwi teams continue to impress, with the Hurricanes putting on a clinic against the admittedly undermanned Crusaders. Hopefully we get to see these two teams clash at full strength later in the year. The Blues stunned the Lions with a late burst to finally add a win to the potential we have seen in them, and with some of the most exciting players in the competition on their books, we know they will be entertaining this year if nothing else. Australian rugby would kill to have the Ioane brothers switch allegiance.
It wasn't a great weekend for the South Africans, with only the Sharks notching up a win. They were too strong for the overwhelmed Sunwolves, who despite a promising start to the year have quickly fallen off the pace. It could be another long year.
The Big Games
There are a number of knife edge clashes this weekend that look really tough to pick. The Crusaders travel to Dunedin to meet the Highlanders in the match of the round, and punters think the Christchurch team can overcome their injury woes to get back in the winners circle. It's a tough ask against a team that boasts the two great Smiths, Aaron and Ben, and perhaps the most in form winger in the game, Waisake Naholo. A piece of brilliance from him might be all the difference.
The Stormers finally get to return home, but the visiting Blues will smell blood in the water, and a huge opportunity to grab two scalps in South Africa. The Reds are also on the road, heading to Argentina to face the flying Jaguares. Despite being unfancied outsiders, Brad Thorn’s men will relish the challenge, particularly the opportunity to go up against such a strong pack. The scrum battle will be intense.
Back in Sydney, the Waratahs host the unbeaten Rebels in what is already shaping as a season defining match for NSW. Another insipid loss, this time to an Australian conference rival, could spell troubled times for the Tahs. They need to make a statement this weekend.
Predictions
The Chiefs ($1.09) will be too strong for the Bulls ($7.50) in Waikato, and could put a cricket score on. The Highlanders ($1.90) will sneak home against the Crusaders ($1.92) in a match that will make every Australian fan wish we were that good.
The Sharks ($1.80) will get over the Brumbies ($2.02) in Canberra, and the Blues ($1.78) will make it two on the road against the Stormers ($2.05). The Lions ($1.01) will rout the Sunwolves ($16.70), the Reds ($3.12) will bravely get over the Jaguares ($1.37), and the Rebels ($2.15) will inflict another hard loss on the Waratahs ($1.70).
Best Bet
While it's tempting to jump on the Reds at big odds over in Argentina, it is such a tough ask for this young team. Instead, the Rebels, who are drifting against the Tahs, offer the best value of the weekend. The Rebels ($2.15) over the Waratahs is our best bet of the round.
For the latest Super Rugby betting odds, click here.
