Couch Critic previews the betting and provides a tip for this weekend’s Super Rugby semi finals with special bets courtesy of BetOlimp.co.za

There are only three matches remaining in the 2019 Super Rugby season and as a punter that is a real pity since I’ve run into some form which resembles something the Crusaders have been doing on the field!

Things couldn’t have gone any better for us in Christchurch as my main play of the weekend (unders on Highlanders ppoints) scraped in whilst our more lucrative Special Play also brought in the dough. I wasn’t very confident in the middle two games but the Brumbies versus Sharks game was another one I was quite heavily invested in and again both bets came home with ease.

Time is running out but let’s try and squeeze in another win or two before the final whistle blows on this campaign.

Jaguares vs Brumbies (Saturday @ 00:05)

The Jaguares had a tough time in disposing of the Chiefs last week. Again the South Americans will have to dig deep if they are to get themselves a ticket to the main event next week. The Jags have been brilliant during the second half of the competition and are playing a fantastic brand of rugby – smart kicks meet fast, slick handling.

The Brumbies have, however also reached their top levels of late. They dissected the Sharks with surgeon-like precision last week and one can be sure they will be out to do the same to the Jaguares. Whilst the men from Buenos Aires have played more exciting rugby, the Aussies have been structured, calculating and often plain boring as they rely on their solid pack of forwards.

Verdict: The Latin side have treated me extremely well thus far this season (and I even took some 9/1 on them to win the whole comp last week) but I am officially shifting my allegiance. This is a well-coached, well-drilled Brumbies side who might not quite be as flash as the other three teams left in the comp but they have been supremely disciplined in sticking to their tactics. In knockout rugby “discipline” is indeed going to be the key word and when the heat is one the passionate Argentines might just be caught out by the cool and calculating men from Canberra.

In terms of the flow of the game I see the Brumbies knocking over a number of penalty kicks whilst the Jags still have a good chance of getting the first score of the game.

Best Bet: Brumbies to win the game @ 2.88 with BETOLIMP

BETOLIMP Special Bet: Scorecast – First Try (Moroni) and Result (Brumbies 1-5) @ 83.00

Crusaders vs Hurricanes (Saturday @ 09:35)

There were times during the quarter-final that one was left wondering whether the Crusaders were indeed not at the same level that they had been in previous years. And then there were moments (a number of them in the second half) where the defending champions turned on the charm and made us all fall back in love with them – barring the teams who might still have to play them of course!

The Hurricanes looked to have the job done over the Bulls in less than half an hour of rugby but then stuttered and even came uncomfortably close to bottling the outcome. People point to how many teams have dominated possession against the John Plumtree’s side but one needs to keep in mind that these Canes often almost prefer to play without the ball and hit you with a breakout against an unstructured defensive line. Stats mean little to these Wellington lads and they will come out swinging.

Verdict: Call me crazy but I reckon the Hurricanes have a chance of the upset here. Yes they are perhaps not quite as ruthless as they have been in previous editions of Super Rugby, but in all honesty neither have the Crusaders. And yes, there is a very real chance of a blow-out as the Canes could let things slip as soon as they go more than 10 points down but I still think the value play lies with the visitors for this one.

Best bet: Hurricanes to win the game @ 4.72 with BETOLIMP

BETOLIMP Special Bet: Half-time/Full-Time Winning Margin: Crusaders 1-8/Hurricanes 1-12 @ 24.00

BETOLIMP Special Bet: First Tryscorer – Whetu Douglas @ 24.00

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

Couch Critic