superugby2018Couch Critic previews the betting and provides a tip for each match in Round 14 of Super Rugby, brought to you courtesy of BetOlimp.co.za

 

 

 

 

The Rebels and the Jaguares gave us a nice payout this past weekend (the latter a speculative special play offered exclusively to us by BETOLIMP) whilst it was just the Lions who stopped us from having a stellar round. Week 14 appears to have a few more obstacles to it and us such I have opted for a more speculative approach to this week…

 

Hurricanes vs Jaguares(Friday @ 09:35)

With a strong bench the Jags finished with fire against the Highlanders. This time around the South Americans have their heavy hitters on the park from the get-go. The Canes are on a good winning streak at present despite often doing less of the playing and merely relying on being supremely effective in making use of the few opportunities that come their way. They will have to make do without Beauden this week.

Verdict: The Jaguares are sure to put up one hell of a fight in Wellington before possibly coming up just short.

Best Bet: Half time winning margin - Jaguares to lead by 1-7 points @ 4.81

BETOLIMP Special Bet: HF/FT Margin - Jaguares1-8/Hurricanes 1-12 @ 11.00

BETOLIMP Special Bet: First Tryscorer – Agustin Creevy @ 21.00

 

Rebels vs Bulls (Friday @ 11:45)

The Bulls get their Australasian tour underway in Melbourne off the back of a horrible humbling at the hands of the Crusaders. The Rebels got back to winning ways against the Reds – but it was a bit more of a struggle than it perhaps should have been.

Verdict: The Rebels seem to have lost some momentum in the second half of the tournament but the Bulls aren’t known as the best tourists. The Bulls will likely rest the likes of Vermeulen and Pollard later on and as such they will be going all out for the win here yet I still think the task will prove a touch too tough.

BETOLIMP Special Bet: Rebels to win by 1-12 points @ 2.70

BETOLIMP Special Bet: First Tryscorer – Jack Maddocks @ 8.00

 

Blues vs Chiefs (Saturday @ 09:35)

Two of the “lesser” Kiwi teams do battle in Auckland. The Chiefs pulled off a dramatic late victory over the Sharks in Week 13 whilst the Blues did a lot of good things against the Canes yet ultimately let things slip. The loser of this game will in all likelihood end bottom of the New Zealand Conference.

Verdict: The Chiefs have shown plenty of fight but one has to feel that something has to fall in favour of the hapless Blues at some stage. I think they win this one by a narrow margin.

BETOLIMP Special Bet: Blues to win by 1-12 points @ 2.60

 

Reds vs Waratahs (Saturday @ 11:45)

An all-Aussie derby which could determine who joins the Sunwolves in falling out of the running in the Australian Conference.

Verdict: The Reds have put up some decent efforts at times whilst the Tahs have been largely disappointing. The Waratahs return from a trip to Africa where they came up short against both the Bulls and Lions (but only by a combined margin of eight points) and could run out of puff in Brisbane.

Best Bet:Total Points – Under 57 points @ 1.83

Value Bet: Half Time/Full Time – Waratahs/Reds @ 6.53

 

Lions vs Highlanders (Saturday @ 15:05)

The Lions clearly have a game plan of throwing the ball around and running their opponents ragged on the Highveld. Unfortunately they seem to be the type of team who struggle to adapting to altering this tactic in any way shape or form during the game and this nearly came back to bite them against the Tahs. The Highlanders aren’t at the same level of the Crusaders and Hurricanes but the Landers are still very much in the mix and this should be a good matchup between two teams looking to move toward the sharp end of the log.

Verdict: The Lions let us down last week and the Highlanders aren’t a bad touring side despite embarking on the trip without Ben Smith. This one could go either way and I won’t be getting overly involved in the result here.

Best Bet: HT/FT – Highlanders/Lions @ 6.16

BETOLIMP Special Bet: Last Tryscorer - Waisake Naholo @ 10.50

BETOLIMP Special Bet: Last Tryscorer - Tyrone Green @ 17.00

 

Stormers vs Crusaders (Saturday @ 17:15)

Verdict: The Stormers have a shot of keeping the Crusaders honest but at current lines there is also the fear that the Saders can pull clear should the home side drop their guard at any time. I think the Stormers will make the champs work for this one.

Best Bet: Crusaders to lead by 1-7 points at half time @ 3.28

BETOLIMP Special Bet: Braydon Ennor to score the last try @ 11.20

 

 

Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change

 

Couch Critic