The 2017 Super Rugby season continues this weekend after it got off to an expected start as the New Zealand sides all flexed their muscles in Round 1. We are back this week with another slate of Previews and Betting Tips for Round 2 of the 1027 Super Rugby Season.
2017 Super Rugby Round 2 Betting Tips
Force vs Reds (Thursday 9pm AEDT)
The two Australian sides will tackle each other as the Reds will look for a perfect start to the season while the Force will want to improve on their narrow loss last week. The Reds put on a dominant attacking display against the defensive minded Sharks as they earned a narrow 28-26 victory on their home soil. It was a strong performance by their flyhalf Quade Cooper in his return to the Queensland club and the four tries the side scored is a testament to that. The Reds will name an unchange starting 15 with Taniela Tupou to move onto the bench, who is more commonly known as the ‘Tongan Thor’.
The Force’s narrow loss is a tale of what happened to them last season. They seem to be in a lot of matches but lack the experience and talent to get themselves over the line in the key moments. They will play their first match on home soil this weekend but we are expecting the Reds to earn the win.
TIP: Reds to win – $1.81 at CrownBet
Chiefs vs Blues (Friday 5.35pm AEDT)
The Blues were able to make a statement in their opening game of the season, even if it was against a wounded Rebels side. It was an explosive start to the match with each side exchanging blows but the Blues punches hurt a lot more and they paid dividends in the second half. The side has proven to be a great attacking side but it will be their defence that is tested most this weekend.
The Chiefs started their season with an upset victory on the road against the Highlanders. It is a big win for the side and they will be looking to build upon that on home soil. As mentioned, the Blues defence isn’t quite up to scratch and we are predicting Aaron Cruden and Damien McKenzie to wreak havoc in the backline for the Chiefs and led their side to a big win on home soil.
TIP: Chiefs to win at the margin (13+) – $3.10 at Sportsbet
Hurricanes vs Rebels (Saturday 3.15pm AEDT)
You have to feel for the Rebels heading into this one. The side has suffered a lot of injuries and after suffering a 56-18 humiliating defeat on home soil they will head to the den of the defending champions and face the best attacking team in the competition.
The Hurricanes are fresh off a 83-17 victory and it looked as if the side would crack 100 point but they took their foot off the pedal for the final ten minutes. The Hurricanes won’t take their opponents lighlty and with the Rebels crushed due to injuries and on the road, we predict the Canes will run away with this match.
TIP: Hurricanes at the line (-22.5) - $1.90 at William Hill
Highlanders vs Crusaders (Saturday 5.35pm AEDT)
The Crusaders managed to hold on to a narrow victory against the Brumbies on the weekend but they were forced to work a lot harder than expected for the competition points. The Brumbies came back into the match after trailing early but it was largely due to the Crusaders losing their playmaker. Richie Mo’unga went down with an injury and it was later revealed to be a broken hand. He will miss six weeks and it will be a big loss for the Crusaders as they don’t have much depth in the position and they will struggle to create opportunities without him.
Meanwhile the Highlanders will be out to right the wrongs of last week that saw them open their 2017 Super Rugby campaign with a loss. The side didn’t create many opportunities and were forced to keep the scoreboard ticking over with the boot. We are predicting them to take their game to antoher level this weekend against the Crusaders while the away side won’t have many points in them.
TIP: Highlanders to win – $1.70 at William Hill
Brumbies vs Sharks (Saturday 7.45pm AEDT)
Fresh off a narrow loss to the Reds, the Sharks will remain in Australia and face the Brumbies. The side relied heavily on penalties to keep the scoreboard ticking over against the Queensland side an it ultimately proved costly. However, the side didn’t learn from their mistakes last year or make any adjustments and we don’t think they will do any this season. They will maintain the same approach and rely on their defence and forwards to create penalty opportunities.
Meanwhile the Brumbies can take a lot of confidence out of their loss against the Cruaders. They played against a strong side and held their own. They will play in front of their home crowd for the first time and we should expect an improved performance this weekend. The side will be looking to start the game stronger and we believe they will be able to do so and hold on for a narrow win.
TIP: Brumbies to win at the margin (1-12) – $2.60 at William Hill
Sunwolves vs Kings (Sunday 9.55pm AEDT)
The Sunwolves had an awful start to the 2017 season. They suffered an humilating defeat on home soil and they will be looking to turn things around this weekend. The side faced the Kings last year twice with the same result, a loss. The Sunwolves were expected to be a better team this year and we need to take into account they faced the defending champions who were fresh off an offseason.
We believe they will be more competitive this weekend.
Meanwhile the Kings suffered a loss themselves in a match they were hoping to win. They faced the Argentinan side on home soil and while they put up a strong fight they ultimately went down. We are predicting the Kings to earn their first win of the season as they hand the Sunwolves another tough loss.
TIP: Kings at the line (-5.5) – $1.90 at Sportsbet
Lions vs Waratahs (Sunday 12.05am AEDT)
The Waratahs started the season with a victory against the Force however it wasn’t the performance they were hoping for. It definitely wasn’t a dominant win and it wasn’t a showing you would expect from the favourites to win the Australian conference. If they are going to start their tour of South Africa with a victory they will need to show a lot more in attack and that starts with Israel Folau. It wasn’t the best conditions but the outside back managed just one pass and two runs for 11 metres in the match. However, in a positive for the side Will Skelton was dominant and he grabbed the only try of the match for the side.
Meanwhile the Lions didn’t start their defence of the South African conference with the performance they were expecting either. The side managed to get the win against the Cheetahs and scored three tries to their opponents one but their forward pack wasn’t as dominant as it was last season. However, we expect them to right that ship against a Waratahs side that should struggle in that area. We are predicting a tight match with the Lions to earn a narrow victory.
TIP: Lions at the margin (1-12) - $2.63 at Sportsbet
Stormers vs Jaguares (Sunday 2.15am AEDT)
The Stormers and Jaguares will head into this match both having victories under their belts. The Stormers are clear favourites and have the home field advantage. The side managed 37 points last week in a strong attacking display and we expect them to crack the Jaguares defence with more ease than the Bulls.
The Jaguares won a narrow contest against the Kings in an improved performance to last season. The side started the 2016 season with a victory but then went on a losing streak. They won’t want history to repeat itself but we do believe the Stormers are too classy for their opponents. The Stormers did lose De Allende to injury but it won’t be enough for the side to fall to the Jaguares.
TIP: Stormers to win at the line (-9.5) – $1.90 at CrownBet
Cheetahs vs Bulls (Sunday 4.30am AEDT)
The Super Rugby round 2 action will conclude on Sunday morning with an all South African match up. These two sides will enter the match on the back of a loss with the Cheetahs being the more impressive side. They were able to stay in the contest with the Lions with their boot and nearly came away with the victory. It was a different Cheetahs side to years past where they would focus almost entirely on attack and scoring from anywhere on the park. If they can maintain their discipline then they could be a tough side to beat.
Meanwhile the Bulls didn’t offer much in attack while their defence was even worse. The side hasn’t been to the finals in three seasons and after a disappointing beginning we can’t see them turning things around enough in the space of a week to earn a victory on the road.
TIP: Cheetahs to win – $2.15 at Sportsbet
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