Super Rugby Pacific Quarter Finals

Quarterfinal 1 is a rematch from the last weekend of normal rounds as the Crusaders host the Reds in the same stadium. The Crusaders held on to a 13-point victory with both teams resting and rotating key individuals with a likely re-match impending. The scoreline flattered the Reds a touch and they didn’t get a bulk of their points until late but they had to travel from Australia and have small downtime in New Zealand whereas the Crusaders were there more than a week before. With a week of planning and a semi-final spot on the line, The Reds are going to fight until the death of this match.

I do expect the Crusaders to be too tough for the Reds in the end, but this line is insane for a finals match-up.

Predictions:

Tip: Crusaders ($1.06)

Line: Reds +20.5 ($1.90)

Margin: Crusaders 1-12 ($3.40)

*Prices via Ladbrokes as of 02/06/22

Bet: Silly line put up in my opinion and I expect the Reds to really make this a tough outing for the Crusaders. Reds +20.5 | 3u @ $1.90

The last time these two teams met was the opening round of the mixed fixtures in which the Chiefs dominated massively on the scoreboard. Since then, both teams have adjusted and games have become closer and closer. The Chiefs are coming off a massive scare in Fiji when the Drua made a big comeback to make the Chiefs sweat. Meanwhile, the Waratahs were nothing but tough against the competition favourites albeit a side who had a lot of the main squad rested. Both teams have to travel to New Zealand and both teams will be looking for improvement following poor efforts in the final round.

The Chiefs should get this done in front of their home crowd but I expect Darren Coleman to have his men fired up for this one and to really make it a tough close game.

Predictions:

Tip: Chiefs ($1.20)

Line: Waratahs +10.5 ($2.00)

Margin: Chiefs 1-12 ($2.90)

*Prices via Ladbrokes as of 02/06/22

These teams played each other in back-to-back rounds earlier in the year with margins of 12 and 7, both to the Blues. The Blues will be well rested with a majority of their squad sitting on the sidelines for the final round of the season but sometimes that can present some rust around the playmaking and ball-handling abilities, especially early on in the game. The Highlanders had to sweat it out in Melbourne as the Rebels really took it to them and made them earn the bonus point to put them into the finals series. One thing about the Highlanders this year, despite losing a lot of matches, they have been right there in the thick of it in every game, and I expect this to be no different.

Blues to win this but it won’t be without a fight.

Predictions:

Tip: Blues ($1.11)

Line: Highlanders +14.5 ($1.90)

Margin: Blues 1-12 ($3.10)

*Prices via Ladbrokes as of 02/06/22

The lines and prices here are a touch surprising considering the last time these two teams met in Round 11, the Brumbies blew the Hurricanes away by 17 points at GIO Stadium. Both the Brumbies and Hurricanes were disappointing in the final round with both teams losing games they should have won against the Moana Pasifika and Western Force respectively. Both teams were away from home, so being back in familiar surroundings is going to only enhance the Brumbies chances. The Brumbies are much better than what they have displayed and I expect them to be fired up and ready for this clash.

I think the Brumbies at their best are easily a 10-point better side than the Hurricanes and the line looks very enticing.

Predictions:

Tip: Brumbies ($1.53)

Line: Brumbies -2.5 ($1.90)

Margin: Brumbies 13+ ($3.50)

*Prices via Ladbrokes as of 02/06/22

Bet: Brumbies to cover the line and show why they are Australia’s best chance of taking the title. Brumbies -2.5 | 5u @ $1.90