Super Rugby Pacific

Super Rugby is kicking off in 2022 in a new era – Super Rugby Pacific.

In addition to the Australian and New Zealand teams, two new teams will enter the fray: Fiji Drua and Moana Pasifika. This brings a lot of excitement and culture to the competition in what is a positive move for Rugby as a sport.

Australian Teams: Queensland Reds, New South Wales Waratahs, ACT Brumbies, Melbourne Rebels and Western Force

New Zealand Teams: Hurricanes, Highlanders, Crusaders, Chiefs and Blues.

Islander Teams: Fiji Drua and Moana Pasifika

91 matches over 18 weeks including three weeks of finals with the Grand Final being played on the 18th June 2022.

Where to watch:

In Australia, you can catch every game live and ad-free on Stan Sport. One game a week will be shown on the Nine Network on a Saturday night.

Analyst Results after Round 5:

Tips: 3/4
Line: 2/4
Margin: 1/4

Season to Date:

Tips: 18/25
Line: 13/25
Margin: 9/25

Super Rugby Pacific Round 6

Moana Pasifika vs Hurricanes

Friday 25/03/2022, 05:05pm AEDST at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand

This is a tough game to start the round. The Hurricanes had their match thrown out two weeks running due to COVID and it will be interesting to see where their mindset is, providing this match goes ahead. Moana Pasifika struggled in many areas last weekend, none more so than defensively, where they missed a massive 25 tackles. They struggled at the breakdown losing six rucks and discipline was again a factor as they lost a man to a yellow card and conceded 14 penalties to the Chiefs 4.

The Hurricanes are equal to if not better than the Chiefs, so Moana Pasifika will need to improve dramatically to be a chance. If the Hurricanes are game ready, they win.

Predictions:

Tip: Hurricanes ($1.02)

Line: Hurricanes -25.5 ($1.90)

Margin: Hurricanes 13+ ($1.20)

*Prices via TAB

Melbourne Rebels vs Fijian Drua

Friday 25/03/2022, 07:45pm AEDST at AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia

This could be a cracking game. Both teams were ultra-competitive in their games and this could be a close one.

Fijian Drua was devastated and as were we backing them, as they were beaten on the buzzer by a Western Force penalty goal. This was heartbreaking as they were at the entertaining best and had beaten the Force in some key areas and looked like a fantastic attacking team. With all the flair, the only thing that let them down was the turnovers, which was easily combated by all the work they did in the other key areas. The Rebels were strong against the Waratahs and put in a much more improved effort. Turnovers and discipline were what put them on the back foot but they were able to keep coming at the Waratahs until the final siren.

I really like the Drua for the second week in a row, and I expect an entertaining game.

Predictions:

Tip: Fijian Drua ($1.87)

Line: Fijian Drua -0.5 ($1.90)

Margin: Fijian Drua 1-12 ($3.30)

*Prices via TAB

Western Force vs ACT Brumbies

Friday 25/03/2022, 10:00 pm AEDST at HBF Park, Perth, Australia

The Force has been going from bad to worse and they were lucky to walk away with the points against the Fijian Drua. They missed a massive 29 tackles, lost 6 rucks, lost 2 scrums, and conceded 16 penalties with a yellow card to boot. They get to go back home for this one, but they are going to need massive improvements against one of the better teams in the league. The Brumbies beat the Reds in a tight one, but again bad discipline almost gave the game back. Little key areas were a struggle for the home team but in a tough game against a tough opponent, I am willing to give them some leeway.

Brumbies to win and win well.

Predictions:

Tip: ACT Brumbies ($1.28)

Line: ACT Brumbies -9.5 ($1.90)

Margin: ACT Brumbies 13+ ($2.20)

*Prices via TAB

Highlanders vs Blues

Saturday 26/03/2022, 2:35pm AEDST at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand

There isn’t much to write about this match as both were out because of COVID last weekend. The Blues are the better team but the Highlanders should keep it close.

Predictions:

Tip: Blues ($1.38)

Line: Highlanders +7.5 ($1.90)

Margin: Blues 1-12 ($2.90)

*Prices via TAB

Chiefs vs Crusaders

Saturday 26/03/2022, 5:05pm AEDST at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, Australia

Another game that there isn’t much to write about. The Crusaders were out last week with COVID canceling their game meanwhile the Chiefs got to play their catch-up game against Moana Pasifika, which they were dominant in. I am expecting this to be a close one like their last game in Round 4.

Tips and prices will be put in once TAB releases them, it’s the only game with nothing yet.

Predictions:

Tip: Crusaders ($1.83)

Line: Crusaders -1 ($1.93)

Margin: Crusaders 1-12 ($2.70)

*Prices via Bet365 as TAB have no price on match

QLD Reds vs NSW Waratahs

Saturday 26/03/2022, 7:45pm AEDST at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia

Match of the round, a bitter rivalry. The Reds were tough against the Brumbies but just couldn’t hold them out whilst still being plagued by injuries. With news during the week that Tupou is likely to face suspension, their strength which is their scrums now because a mere weakness against a Waratahs scrum which has done nothing but improve. But the Reds have class and are tough, so I expect them to bring everything they have for their home fans. The Waratahs are improving but are they up to the Reds standards? Not yet. They were good against the Rebels but let them in when they shouldn’t have, and this is something they cannot do against the Reds because they will make them pay.

I expect a close game and the line of +9.5 to the Waratahs is insane, bet of the round. Reds to win in a close one.

Predictions:

Tip: QLD Reds ($1.28)

Line: NSW Waratahs +9.5 ($1.85)

Margin: QLD Reds 1-12 ($2.90)

*Prices via TAB