Super Rugby Pacific Round 9 Selections

These two teams were quite a contrast in Round 8. The Hurricanes were super tough against the Crusaders, in a match that saw seven separate lead changes throughout. The Hurricanes had a chance to tie the game up in the closing stages with a penalty goal and send the game into extra time but they fancied themselves to win, but in the end, it was to no avail. They will need to clean up their lineout work and also work on their work at the breakdown so they can hold the opposition at bay when they attempt to turn the ball over. Discipline was a major factor in Moana Pasifika’s loss to the Highlanders with two yellow cards allowing points to flow. A 16-5 penalty count also hurt them, and they will need to clean that up against this Hurricanes outfit. Whilst they do improve each week, this game could open up late as both teams will have to test depths with two games this weekend, and the Hurricanes have more depth, so Moana Pasifika will have to be ready.

Hurricanes to win convincingly.

Predictions:

Tip: Hurricanes ($1.08)

Line: Hurricanes -18.5 ($1.90)

Margin: Hurricanes 13+ ($1.50)

*Prices via Ladbrokes as of 11/04/22

Bet: Wasn’t sure if I was going to bet on this game, but the line has made it a must-bet game. Moana Pasifika has two matches in five days and unlike the last time they had to do this, where it was against the same opposition, this is different. Although the Hurricanes have to do the same thing and play again in 4 days, they will be looking to get revenge on Moana Pasifika as they lost the last time these two teams played. The stat I wanted to share was over the five losses that Moana Pasifika have had this year, their average losing margin is 26 points. Hurricanes -18.5 – 3u @ $1.90

The Crusaders were tough to hold on against the fast-finishing Hurricanes last weekend, which could have gone longer than expected had the Hurricanes taken the penalty kick on the bell. They missed 31 tackles in their three-point win, which was riddled with errors that put them on the back foot a lot. They were stronger than the Hurricanes in key areas and were able to keep them at bay. The Blues, on the other hand, were utterly dominant against the Chiefs but the scoreline did flatter them a touch as they were ordinary at the lineout, lost seven rucks, and were absolutely abysmal in their discipline, conceding 14 penalties and three yellow cards. Despite all of this, they held the Chiefs scoreless, which is a testament to their defence.

I am taking the Blues and their head-to-head price should be a lot closer. Blues in a tight one.

Predictions:

Tip: Blues ($2.40)

Line: Blues +3.5 ($1.90)

Margin: Blues 1-12 ($3.25)

*Prices via Ladbrokes as of 12/4/2022

Bet: This is a cracking game and I don’t have them that far apart. The Crusaders have showed chinks in the armour over the past couple of rounds and the Blues looked hot last weekend with Barrett back in the frame. I am not taking any risks and taking the Blues with the start. Blues +3.5 – 3u @ $1.90

There isn’t much to write about the Reds as they are coming off their bye week after they handled the Brumbies with ease at Suncorp Stadium. They should be refreshed and ready to go. The Rebels took to the Waratahs in Round 5 before comprehensively beating the Drua and having a bye. They went out to Western Australia to take on the Force and I truly thought the Force would be too strong but the Rebels have fixed parts of their game that they lacked previously, mainly in attack. Defensively, they were ordinary, with 23 missed tackles and they lacked discipline, conceding a yellow card and a red card but still managed to pull out a win.

This is a Rebels squad who is putting it together but I expect the Reds to still be too strong.

Predictions:

Tip: Reds ($1.25)

Line: Reds -9.5 ($1.90)

Margin: Reds 13+ ($2.20)

*Prices via Ladbrokes as of 12/04/2022

The Chiefs suffered an embarrassing 25-0 defeat at the hands of the Blues last weekend, and despite the Blues conceding three yellow cards throughout, the Chiefs failed to breakthrough. Turnovers were a big key in the match to which the Chiefs conceded 18 turnovers and failed to capitalise when in the Blues half. They will be looking to hit back in a big way against Moana Pasifika who is on the short backup. Moana Pasifika performed as expected on Tuesday and again the depth will be tested against the Chiefs.

Chiefs to win comfortably.

Predictions:

Tip: Chiefs ($1.02)

Line: Chiefs -26.5 ($1.83)

Margin: Chiefs 13+ (Price to come)

*Prices via Ladbrokes as of 15/04/2022

This could be quite an interesting matchup. The Highlanders will be on a high after securing their first time of the year against Moana Pasifika. They were dominant in all facets of the game and only conceded 5 penalties throughout. If there is an area of concern, it was their defence, where they missed a massive 28 tackles, 5 more than their opposition. They probably face this Hurricanes team at the right time on the quick backup, though the Hurricanes are coming off a high themselves. They were articulate against Moana Pasifika and that was without a lot of their key starters. With their starters rested, I expect them to give their all here and for this to be a close contest.

Hurricanes in a close one.

Predictions:

Tip: Hurricanes ($1.67)

Line: Hurricanes -2.5 ($1.91)

Margin: Hurricanes 1-12 (Price to come)

*Prices via Ladbrokes as of 15/04/2022

The Waratahs are coming off a nice bye week after thrashing the Drua away from home. It is the perfect time for them to travel to Perth following a break and I expect a bold showing. The Force, well what can I say. They were very ordinary against the Rebels and probably would have had a chance to win had they converted their tries. They struggled in the lineout and they conceded 13 penalties and a yellow card, at a point in time where they needed to hit back with points. When the Rebels conceded a red card in the second half, the Force failed to capitalise on the lack of troops and in the end, the Rebels got a win away from home.

The Force have lost all three games at home this season despite being competitive. The Waratahs coming off the break should get the job done in a tight one.

Predictions:

Tip: Waratahs ($1.73)

Line: Waratahs -1.5 ($1.90)

Margin: Waratahs 1-12 ($3.00)

*Prices via Ladbrokes as of 12/04/22

Bet: I really like the Waratahs here off a break and the line is perfect, I think they will win by six or seven points and I will be very surprised if we don’t cover the line here. Waratahs -1.5 – 3u @ $1.90.