2017 Super Rugby Round 2 Betting Tips
The 2017 Super Rugby season continues this weekend with a couple of blockbuster match ups. We take a look at the best value matches and offer our Super Rugby Round 2 Preview and Betting Tips.
2017 Super Rugby Round 2 Betting Tips
Force vs Reds (Thursday 9.30pm AEDT)
The Reds got off to a winning start in 2017 and they will be looking to keep the foot on the accelerator this weekend when they take on fellow Australians the Force. The Reds came out and played an attacking style of rugby and it paid dividends against the Sharks. Their South African opponents focused on attempting to keep the scoreboard ticking over with the boot but the four tries to two from the Reds was the difference. Quade Cooper had a strong return to the Reds after a two-year stint in France. Cooper had a hand in everything and we are predicting him to find a bit more consistency with his experience.
Meanwhile the Force were unlucky not to earn the victory against the Tahs. They grabbed the lead in the second half but they weren’t able to hold on. We are predicting this to be a trend for the Force this season, as it was for them last year.
TIP: Reds to win at the margin (1-12) – $2.65 with William Hill
Hurricanes vs Rebels (Saturday 3.15pm AEDT)
The Rebels are coming off a humiliating defeat on home soil against the Blues and now they will face an even tougher New Zealand opponent. The Rebels came out with the intent to attack and put points on the board. However, it was their defence that let them down as they dropped off in the second half as the Blues ran away with it.
They are up against the defending Champions the Hurricanes who earned the biggest win of the opening round. They scored 83 points against the Japanese side the Sunwolves and we wouldn’t be surprised if they cracked the half century mark this weekend. It will be their first game on home soil and they will want to celebrate their grand final victory last season on the weekend. The injured Rebels side is in for a long afternoon on Saturday with Hurricanes flyhalf Beauden Barrett to cut them to pieces.
TIP: Hurricanes at the line (-22.5) – $1.90 with Sportsbet
Lions vs Waratahs (Sunday 12.05am AEDT)
The Lions scrapped home with a win last week against the Cheetahs with a late try. It would have been a disappointing loss for the Lions who are expected to win the South African conference. They will be glad to have got the monkey off the back and we are predicting them to put in a better performance this weekend. The sides forward pack dominated last season and they will get the advantage over the Tahs who struggle to compete in South Africa. The Lions also had one of the best attacks last year and if they can find the lead early through penalties then we don’t believe they will relinquish it.
The Tahs were less than impressive in their season opener against the Force. They too were lucky to earn the victory. The talk around the squad was that Israel Folau was going to return to his best this season but if he is then he will have to get his hands on the ball a lot more than he did last week. The fullback turned outside back had two runs for 11m and passed the ball just once. He will be out to redeem himself but it won’t be enough to get the side over the line.
TIP: Lions to win at the margin (1-12) – $2.65 with CrownBet
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TIPS ARE SIMPLY THE AUTHOR’s OPINION. ALWAYS GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY
