2017 Super Rugby Quarter Finals Betting Tips
The 2017 Super Rugby season came to its conclusion last week which means the elimination round is upon us and in three weeks we will have a champion. Continue reading for our Super Rugby Quarterfinals Preview and Betting Tips.
Brumbies vs Hurricanes (Friday 7.45pm AEST)
The Brumbies reached the knockout stages basically because of how weak the Australian Conference is. They have lost their last two matches and have a negative win to loss ratio. The side has a mentality boost with Christian Leiliifano returning to the side onto the bench after overcoming a cancer battle for the last 12 months. Unfortunately though, with him being out of the game for so long you can’t expect him to have much bearing on this match.
Meanwhile the defending champions are primed to make a huge impact and a charge for back-to-back titles. The best flyhalf in the world Beuden Barrett returns for the team and he will continue to orchestrate the best attack in the competition on the way to the Hurricanes running away with a convicing victory on the road.
TIP: Hurricanes at the margin (13+) – $1.91 at CrownBet
Crusaders vs Highlanders (Saturday 5.35pm AEST)
On Saturday night we are treated to an all New Zealand match between the Crusaders and Highlanders. The Crusaders were undefeated in the competition until the final round, when they lost to the Hurricanes on the road. However, we don’t expect them to lose back-to-back matches and be eliminated from the final race in the opening week. The side has a strong forward pack and that will be an area where they will get the advantage over the Hurricanes while their ability to score off the turnover has been present all season.
The Hurricanes best chance of earning a victory in this match will be to play smart. They will need to turn the Crusaders around by kicking the ball smart and by taking every opportunity that is on offer to them throughout the match. We are predicting the contest to be a tight one but ultimately the Crusaders will have too much class and they will find a way to win.
TIP: Crusaders at the margin (1-12) – $1.91 at William Hill
Lions vs Sharks (Saturday 7.45pm AEST)
Saturday night will continue with one nation matches, but this time it will be an all South African affair. These two sides coincidentally met last weekend and it was the Lions who earned a comfortable 17-point victory and it was on the road. In this match, the minor premiers, will have the advantage of playing on home soil and we can see this one turning into a white wash as the Lions show off their dominance on the rest of the South African sides. The Lions reached the final last year on the back of their forward pack, running rugby and classy backs and they have only gotten better this season.
Meanwhile the Sharks is a side that limped into the finals, largely due to the fact they played weaker sides throughout the South African conference. We are predicting them to attempt to put up a fight but if they don’t get points early it will be a long afternoon for them.
TIP: Lions at the line (-14.5) – $1.90 at Sportsbet
Stormers vs Chiefs (Sunday 1am AEST)
The Stormers and Chiefs met earlier in the season in a similar scenario. The two teams went into the match undefeated and it was the Stormers who came out on top. There is more on the line this weekend obviously with the loser’s season coming to an end. That alone has us leading towards the Chiefs to earn the victory in this one with the New Zealand team’s mentality of champions to get them over the line.
The Chiefs have been a strong team all season and have only lost two matches. In those two loses they were competitive and they could have easily earned victories. The side has a great attack with Aaron Cruden steering the ship while they are also a very strong defensive team.
Meanwhile the Stormers will enter this match needing a strong start on home soil to keep their fans in it. The Stromers only lost five matches this year but they had an easier draw when compared with the Chiefs. The home field advantage will keep the game close but ultimately the Chiefs will come out on top.
TIP: Chiefs at the margin (1-12) – $2.75 at Sportsbet
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