The Super Rugby season continues this weekend and with only three rounds remaining, Round 16 looks to be very important for a lot of sides. Continue reading for this week’s Super Rugby Preview and Betting Tips.
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Crusaders vs Hurricanes (Friday 5.35pm AEDT)
The Crusaders season has been put in critical condition as they are sitting in ninth place and seven points adrift from the last finals spot available. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes have still only suffered the one loss all year and they have all but cemented the top spot at the end of the season. The two teams met four weeks ago in a thrilling encounter that saw the Hurricanes prove too strong. It will likely be a similar result with the Crusaders putting up a fight but the Hurricanes being too good in key areas. Ma’a Nonu will set a new record for Super Rugby caps by a Hurricanes player and that should be incentive enough for the side to put on a great performance for their superstar.
TIP: Hurricanes 1-12 @ $2.62 with Palmerbet
Brumbies vs Bulls (Friday 7.40pm AEDT)
The Brumbies are returning to action after their bye last week and they will be looking to finish the season strong as they look to hold onto a finals spot. The Bulls will be looking to salvage their road trip, after suffering two losses in a row. Unfortunately for the Bulls, they are likely to fall to their third loss as the Brumbies were impressive on their road trip in South Africa and will only improve due to the week off and playing on home soil.
TIP: Brumbies -7.5 @ $1.92 with Luxbet
Sharks vs Rebels (Saturday 3.10am AEDT)
The Sharks and Rebels finals hopes have been dashed in recent weeks but that doesn’t mean this match won’t be entertaining. It is likely that the two sides will take this opportunity to throw the ball around and play some good attacking styled rugby. If this is the way the match is played than the Sharks will come out on top as they pose more of an attacking threat than their counterparts.
TIP: Sharks 1-12 @ $2.75 with Crownbet
Highlanders vs Chiefs (Saturday 5.35pm AEDT)
This will be the match of the round as Chiefs sit in third spot and only one point ahead of the Highlanders who sit in fourth. The winning side will practically secure their spot in the final and the loser will be left to fight it out in the following two rounds. Despite the match being held on the Highlanders home ground it is the Chiefs with the superior record of 3 wins and 0 losses at Rugby Park Stadium which could suggest an upset is on the cards. The Chiefs are obviously missing fly half Aaron Cruden but his replacement has been more than up to the task.
TIP: Chiefs @ $2.15 with Sportsbet
Force vs Reds (Saturday 7.40pm AEDT)
The all-Australian encounter should be entertaining with both sides looking to take something out of their disappointing seasons. The Reds were able to hand a hiding to the Rebels two weeks ago but they were back to their awful ways last week against the Sharks. The Reds capitulation was summed up by James O’Connor’s famous kick that landed straight in the arms of a Sharks player who scored immediately. Meanwhile, the Force have registered two wins against the defending champions but they have lost every other match they have played. They need a victory this weekend to build confidence that they can take into next year.
TIP: Force -3 @ $1.92 with Crownbet
Stormers vs Cheetahs (Sunday 1.05am AEDT)
The Stormers will be out for revenge against the side they suffered their last defeat too. Since then the Stormers have won their last two games and will be looking to make easy work of the Cheetahs that have suffered to big defeats in a row. The Cheetahs will suffer a similar result again this weekend as they will be looking forward to the season coming to an end. However, there isn’t much vaule in this match and it is best to steer clear of this one.
TIP: No bet
Lions vs Waratahs (Sunday 3.05am AEDT)
The Waratahs have started to hit their straps and were impressive in their victory over the Crusaders. They were able to overcome losing a man to the sin bin when the match was hanging in the balance. It is true testament to the side and they will need to show more character as they play their next two matches in South Africa and look to secure top place in the Australian conference. The Lions have been strong too but they lost to the Brumbies at home two weeks ago and will lose to an even better Australian side this weekend.
TIP: Waratahs -2 @ $1.92 with Luxbet
