2017 Super Rugby Round 17 Betting Tips
The 2017 Super Rugby regular season reaches its conclusion this weekend and all 18 teams are in action. We take a look at the best value matches for our Super Rugby Round 17 Preview and Betting Tips.
Highlanders vs Reds (Friday 5.35pm AEST)
The weekend of Super Rugby action begins in New Zealand like always as the Highlanders host the Reds. The Highlanders will enter the match with their position on the ladder just about locked up but a loss could see them drop a position. The team will be looking to build momentum from this match as they will look to challenge the top sides in the conference next week in an elimination final. The Highlanders haven’t quite lived up to their standards this season but they should be able to handled the Reds with ease.
The Reds are entering the match on the back of a hard-fought victory over conference rivals the Brumbies. The Reds kicked a penalty goal after the siren to win the game but it won’t count for much as their season is already over. The Reds won’t have anything to play for in this one and they won’t enjoy a cold winters night in New Zealand.
TIP: Hurricanes at the line (-23.5) – $1.90 at CrownBet
Hurricanes vs Crusaders (Saturday 5.35pm AEST)
Saturday night will give rugby union fans a blockbuster match that is fit for a final and by a lot of people’s predictions it will be the grand final decider. The two best teams in New Zealand and arguably the entire competition will go at it.
The Crusaders head into this match with the best record and on the top of the table. The side is remarkably undefeated with 14 wins from as many starts. The closest they have came to a loss this season ironically came against the Hurricanes but they were able to get the job done in front of their home fans. The Crusaders have built their success on the back of their forward pack this season and they will be hoping it can get them over the line once more on Saturday night. They are the best at the set pieces and it allows them to maintain and steal possession. They are also the best at the breakdown and they will need to take advantage of the turnovers they force throughout the match.
Meanwhile the Hurricanes will be relying on their attack to get them the victory in this one. They have proved this season that when they have the ball in their hands and avoid turning it over or making a silly mistake, they are nearly impossible to handle. Beauden Barrett is by far the best flyhalf in the world and the rest of the backline excels on the back of his performance. We are predicting him to be key in this one as he leads his side to victory in front of their home fans.
TIP: Hurricanes at the margin (1-12) – $3.00 at Sportsbet
Force vs Waratahs (Saturday 7.45pm AEST)
The Force will head into this match not knowing whether it will be their last in Super Rugby or not. The team will be eliminated but funnily enough they sit in second place on the Australian conference. A win would secure that position and hand more humiliation to the Waratahs, who have had a dreadful season.
As mentioned, the Waratahs have been embarrassing this season. For a side that entered the season with the belief they would be in the finals and possibly competing for a title, they have been far from that standard. Their latest loss on home soil was again humiliating as the Jaguares, who are sitting outside of the finals series, defeated them by double digits. Their defence has been poor all season and we are predicting it to get caught out once again on Saturday night. The Force will have a lot of pride to play for in front of their home fans as it is possibly their last match in Super Rugby while the Waratahs have shown for the last half of a season that they aren’t playing for anything.
TIP: Force at the margin (1-12) – $3.25 at William Hill
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