Rugby Union - 2021

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Super Rugby

Hurricanes vs Highlanders

Regardless of the result in this match, the Hurricanes will end the tournament with the wooden spoon. They come into the final round with a poor record of just 1 win and 6 defeats, but they came close to victory in each of their last 2 matches.

In Round 9 the Canes visited the Chiefs who were closing in on a place in the final. It was a nip and tuck game but the Hurricanes held the lead going into the closing stages only for the Chiefs to land the decisive penalty right at the death to come out on top 26-24.

Prior to that the Canes pushed the Crusaders hard before losing to a golden time drop goal (27-27 full time) in a home fixture.
The Highlanders were on a bye last week and the results confirmed they are no longer in contention for a place in the final. The Landers have a record of 3 wins and 4 defeats and they are fourth best.
The Highlanders have had a wretched run of injuries with Fetuli Paea, Ngatungane Punivai, Freedom Vahaakolo, Thomas Umaga-Jensen and Connor Garden-Bachop all currently side-lined.
With Josh Ioane also ruled out at the last minute due to an injury at training, I'll take the Hurricanes to get another win, after coming agonizingly close two times before.

Bet 1: Hurricanes -2.0 @1.79
Bet 2: Team Total Tries - Hurricanes Over 3.5 @1.70

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Challenge Cup

Leicester Tigers vs Ulster

Ulster have only been beaten twice away from home all season in all competitions, to all-conquering Leinster in the PRO14 and against Gloucester in the Heineken Champions Cup, when they threw away a 10-point lead in the closing 10 minutes or so.

Ulster was impressive in their 35-27 win away against Northampton Saints in the quarter-finals was particularly impressive, as they had to come from behind to win, while Leicester lost to the same opponents in the Premiership last week, at home, 18-23.

Comparing the two sides, the Tigers are a very good team on paper, but doesn't always deliver.
Ulster certainly have the more dangerous forward pack and they will be too strong for the Tigers.

Bet 1: Ulster -2.5 @1.90
Bet 2: Team Total points - Ulster Over 26.5 @1.80

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Super Rugby

Blues vs Chiefs

Chiefs resting everyone and playing a reserve team. Bench is also very inexperienced.

There has been massive movement in the handicap this week. The Blues opened -5.5 but that went out to -11.5 when punters climbed in expecting a rotational Chiefs lineup. They got one and the line is now out to -17.5.
The Blues may take the foot off the pedal later on, so I'm going with the half time handicap.

Bet 1: HT Blues -7.0 @1.80
Bet 2: Team Total Points Chiefs Under 21.5 @1.91

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Super Rugby


Brumbies vs Western Force

This is the first of the play-off matches.
The Force have been much improved this season but I have a feeling they "played their final" last week, and I think the Brumbies will win this one comfortably. The Brumbies have had the measure of the Force this season, having beaten them home and away, and because I am a bit concerned they could step off the gas at some point, I'm going for the half time handicap.
Other key factors to the Brumbies advantage are coaching, home field with own fans, finals experience (current champions), they are coming off a bye last week and therefore are well rested.

Bet: HT Brumbies -6.5 @1.82

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Champions Cup

La Rochelle vs Leinster

Leinster are playing very well in knock-out rugby, and this season they are fully focused on this competition.
They smashed the other French team in Champions Cup, Toulon, 30-0, and they showed no mercy to the English champions beating them away 34-22.
La Rochelle had their own impressive wins too, but Leinster looked more clinical, and their win away at Exeter showed us their ability to win when it really matters.
The conditions look perfect and I also took Leinster over 25.5 points.

Bet 1: Leinster -4.5 @1.87
Bet 2: Team Total Leinster Over 25.5 [email protected]

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Major League

NOLA Gold vs Toronto Arrows

The team from Toronto has won two in a row and are coming from a big win away in New York, 53-12.
They have several Argentinian internationals in their squad, which makes a big difference in their league. NOLA doesn't have players of similar calibre, so Toronto should win this comfortably.
Two weeks ago Toronto beat Seattle 52-7. They have scored the biggest number of points in their conference.

Bet 1: Toronto -4.5 @1.81
Bet 2: Team Total points - Toronto over 32.5 @1.80