Round 2 of the 2018 Super Rugby season is here and all teams are in action after a shortened Round 1. We went 2-0 last week and will be looking to continue our good form as we preview Round 2 of the Super Rugby season below.
Super Rugby Round 2 Betting Tips
Highlanders vs Blues (Friday, Feb 23 5:35pm AEDT)
In this clash, the Highlanders will look to continue their winning ways against the Blues. They have beaten them in 4 of the last 5 meetings. But there is hope for a close match. The Blues played well in the Brisbane Tens and the margin in the last two clashes has been in the 1-6 range. They can score points to match the Highlanders. But in the end, the Highlanders are better defensively and that will be the difference.
TIP: Highlanders 1-12 at Ladbrokes ($2.90)
Rebels vs Reds (Friday, Feb 23 7:45pm AEDT)
The reformed Rebels will start as favourites here against the Reds at home. They’ve recruited a number of Force players in the offseason and Will Genia is back. But they lost 47-5 against the Waratahs in a trial match and this could be a slow start considering the new faces. In the last 3 meetings, the margin has finished under 6 points and the Reds won the last meeting at AAMI Park. But the Reds are missing a wealth of talent for this one. Izaia Perese injured his knee against Fiji, Karmichael Hunt is out and they’ve gotten rid of Quade Cooper. So this is probably the toughest pick of the week. In the end, the Rebels will be looking to start their season with a win at home and they should of learnt alot of lessons in that trial loss.
TIP: Rebels -4.5 at CrownBet ($1.91)
Sunwolves vs Brumbies (Saturday, Feb 24 3:15pm AEDT)
The Brumbies open the season in Japan and this will likely be an easy victory. They thrashed the Sunwolves 66-5 in 2016 and have been given a 16.5 point start. The Sunwolves averaged 44.7 points against last season and had an average losing margin of 29.5. The Brumbies have David Pocock back this season and I’ll back them to beat this line. They have a strong defence and can keep the Sunwolves quiet all match.
TIP: Brumbies -16.5 at Ladbrokes ($1.91)
Crusaders vs Chiefs (Saturday, Feb 24 5:35pm AEDT)
This is arguably the match of the round as the 2017 champion Crusaders host the Chiefs. Last season, the Crusaders beat the Chiefs 27-13 here in the Semi-finals. In the last two seasons, they’re 15-2 at home and went 9-0 at home last season. They haven’t lost key players in the offseason so it will likely be another victory for them this Saturday. But this should be close. The Chiefs went 6-2-1 in away matches last season and were better in defence as they averaged just 19.4 points against. They also have a 8-4 ATS record when playing the Crusaders. We think the Crusaders will win at home but the Chiefs to cover the line.
TIP: Chiefs +7.5 at CrownBet ($1.91)
Waratahs vs Stormers (Saturday, Feb 24 7:45pm AEDT)
On Saturday night, the Waratahs kick off the season with a home match against the Stormers. They’ll look to start well at home after going 2-5 here last season. The Stormers will have a nice advantage as they played in a victory last week. They also beat the Waratahs 32-18 in the last meeting here and the line of +8.5 points looks achievable. They didn’t meet last season so it’s hard to read how these teams matchup. But after already playing last week, it’s just a huge advantage for the Stormers.
TIP: Stormers +8.5 at Ladbrokes ($1.91)
Lions vs Jaguares (Sunday, Feb 25 12:05am AEDT)
Both sides played last week and this looks to a closer contest than the odds say. The Lions beat the Sharks by 7 points last week and will start as 15.5 point favourites. However, the Jaguares just lost by 3 points in the last meeting at this venue and they have beaten them twice at home in Super Rugby. So I’d back them to cover this large line.
TIP: Jaguares +15.5 at Ladbrokes ($1.91)
Bulls vs Hurricanes (Sunday, Feb 25 2:15am AEDT)
In the last match of Round 2, the Hurricanes will look to kick off the season with a big win. They have beaten the Bulls in the last two meetings in Pretoria and have been given a 13.5 line to beat. Based on last season, they should be able to cover this. They averaged 38.8 points per game and only allowed 19.5. While for the Bulls, they only averaged 22.6 points per game and allowed 30.6. They’re 1-8 as an underdog and lost by 14 points against the Hurricanes at home last season.
TIP: Hurricanes -13.5 at Ladbrokes ($1.91)
