All eyes are on Canberra on Friday night with the Reds-Brumbies rivalry match. It has become the biggest spectacle in Australian rugby with thrillers through 2020 and 2021.
Kiwi fans will be suffering withdrawal symptoms in Super Rugby Pacific this weekend with two matches postponed because of COVID and no Blues, Crusaders, Highlanders or Hurricanes to watch.
We tipped the Blues to win by 1-12 pts for our best collect at $2.80 last round.
Let's take a look at Round 5.
Super Rugby Round 5 Betting Tips
ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds
Fri, Mar 18, GIO Stadium, Canberra 7.45pm (AEDT)
You have to be cold and calculating with your assessment of this match, not caught up in the fervour that this derby has produced a string of super-tight contests.
The Reds went 3-0 in this match-up last year but won on the bell with a Jordan Petaia try in Canberra, with a late penalty goal in Brisbane and with a James O’Connor try on full-time in the Super Rugby AU final.
The margins were two, two and three points.
The Reds are clear outsiders this time with no Tate McDermott, no Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, no Angus Scott-Young and no Alex Mafi. They lose scheming spark, lineout-winning ability, scrum stability and experienced winners.
The Brumbies are specials in this match but the trick is picking a margin with value. The line is set at around 6.5 pts or a bit under that. Fancy a bigger Brumbies win. TAB.com.au is offering $2.15 for the Brumbies at –9.5 pts when you pick your own line. That’s a good bet.
Across history, the Brumbies have a landslide 18-4 ledger over the Reds when playing them in Canberra and that means something.
The Reds defence has been outstanding this season and they hang tough in a contest which is what they need to do in this one. No.8 Harry Wilson has been superb and flanker Fraser McReight had a fine game last weekend against the Drua.
The backrow battle against Rob Valetini and co will be a beauty.
The Brumbies are settled and with all their stars. They look more capable of winning and controlling ball. Halfback Nic White relishes games like this so expect a big one from him.
Western Force v Fijian Drua
Sat, Mar 19, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney 2.35pm (AEDT)
The Fijians are on a bit of a roll. They upset the Melbourne Rebels when going on a 22-0 points streak and nearly did the same with a three-try, 19-0 run against the Queensland Reds last weekend.
The afternoon kick-off will suit them. They are dangerous and they are improving.
This unrelenting week-to-week footy is something few of the Fijians are used to so you have to expect a dip somewhere. The Force have to impose themselves to make sure it’s on Saturday.
The Force have completely changed their halves to go with halfback Ian Prior and flyhalf Jake McIntyre. It is designed to have calm, steady game-controllers in charge to play a fewer-frills game plan that doesn’t gift chances to the Fijians.
This is one the Force must win so expect a lift in performance and the lead to come from big forwards like Izack Rodda, Jeremy Thrush and Fergus Lee-Warner.
NSW Waratahs v Melbourne Rebels
Sat, Mar 19, Sydney Cricket Ground 7.45pm (AEDT)
Not having talisman and captain Jake Gordon for a month with a hamstring injury is going to hurt the Waratahs. Jack Grant performed admirably as replacement halfback in last weekend’s win over the Force but consistency is everything now from him.
The Waratahs will have a deal of confidence too with two wins from four starts. The return of Will Harrison as a fullback and second playmaker is really adding variety to the Waratahs attack.
You’d have to back the Waratahs in this one. Centre trumps Izaia Perese and Lalakai Foketi are again playing against inexperienced rivals so expect an advantage there.
Backrowers Will Harris and Charlie Gamble are both in excellent form. The Rebels now have fresh starter Richard Hardwick and bench weapon Brad Wilkin as backrowers who can disrupt the flow of Waratahs’ ball and they will need to.
The Melbourne Rebels just seem disorganised in thinking and execution. At 0-4, the season just hasn’t got started.
The attack doesn’t give you much confidence and no team in Super Rugby Pacific breaks fewer tackles (14) per game.
The Rebels have won on their last two visits to Sydney to play the Waratahs, including a 29-10 result at the SCG in 2020.
Will Harrison Anytime Try
$3.00
Betting tips for the remaining games coming soon!
