There has already been some movement in the 2012 Super Rugby betting markets with our early fancy the Blues coming in for some support. We take a look at the latest betting.

An indication of how excited I get for this tournament is that I posted an early look at the betting and my first bets a full 2 months ago

At that point I took the call to get involved early and my opening salvoes were

10 units Blues at 9/1

2 units Lions at 33/1

I have since increased my exposure on both teams with 5 units on the Lions and a substantial 55 units riding on the Blues.

Early Money

The Blues began to shorten shortly after the preview was posted and slowly but surely the 9/1 disappeared. Local bookmaker @Hollywoodbets confirmed on Twitter that there had been “Big action on the Blues – shortened from 9/1 to 13/2. A few nibbles on the Lions otherwise not much other action currently”

The Blues are as short as 11/2 in places but there is a top price of 8/1 at Ladbrokes and Sportsbet for those still interested in getting involved. I don’t believe the 8/1 will last.

@Betxchange a bookmaker who offers both fixed odds and spreads on major sporting events confirmed on Twitter that the early action had been “mostly on the Bulls and the Lions” with interest steadily building.

Here is the latest betting to lift the cup:

Crusaders 7/2 at Sportsbet
Reds 6/1 at Sportingbet

Blues 8/1 at Sportsbet and Ladbrokes

Stormers 9/1 at Sportingbet

Sharks 10/1 at Betxchange and Hollywood

Waratahs 11/1 at Hollywood

Bulls 14/1 at Sportingbet and Ladbrokes

Chiefs 16/1 at World Sports Betting, Hollywood and Sportsbet

Hurricanes 33/1 at Betxchange

Brumbies 33/1 at Betxchange, Hollywood and Ladbrokes

Lions 50/1 at Betxchange

Highlanders 66/1 at Sportingbet and Sportsbet

Rebels 66/1 at Sportingbet and Sportsbet

Cheetahs 100/1 at Hollywood

Force 100/1 at Hollywood

I am confident the money will continue to come for the Blues and I will be looking to take the occasional multiple to increase my exposure on them. There are though other markets slowly but surely being priced up so let’s have a look at these.

To Finish Last

I always enjoy this one and the Force are clear favourites for the Wooden Spoon

Force 5/2 at World Sports Betting

Cheetahs 5/1 at Sportingbet

Rebels 5/1 at Sportingbet

Highlanders 6/1 at Sportingbet

Lions 9/1 at Sportingbet

Brumbies 12/1 at World Sports Betting

Hurricanes 12/1 at World Sports Betting

It is hard to argue against the Force who have lost their key man O’Conner to the Rebels although playing in the Australian Conference I believe they will have their share of winnable games. If I was to have an early nibble the Hurricanes at 12/1 might tempt me.

New Zealand Conference

Crusaders 12/10 at World Sports Betting

Blues 3/1 at Ladbrokes

Chiefs 6/1 at Ladbrokes

Hurricanes 14/1 at Sportingbet

Highlanders 14/1 at Sportingbet

I am tempted to go for the 3/1 Blues but with so much money already tied up on them I am reluctant to get too involved. The 12/10 about the Crusaders is comfortably the best price I have seen and they are odds on elsewhere.

South African Conference

Stormers 18/10 with World Sports Betting

Sharks 24/10 at Sportingbet

Bulls 7/2 at Ladbrokes

Lions 10/1 at Ladbrokes

Cheetahs 16/1 at Ladbrokes and Sportingbet

I think this Conference will be closely fought and while the 10/1 Lions looks tempting on price alone, I won’t get involved yet.

Australia Conference

Reds 12/10 at World Sports Betting

Waratahs 2/1 at Ladbrokes

Brumbies 12/1 at Ladbrokes

Rebels 12/1 at World Sports Betting and Sportingbet

Force 20/1 at Ladbrokes

As stated in my opening betting piece I suspect the Reds will struggle to match least season heroics. I reckon the Waratahs will push them but would not discount a Rebels side with the likes of O’Conner and Beale in the mix. Some big differences of opinion on the Brumbies with 12/1 on offer at Ladbrokes while they are as short as 4/1 elsewhere.

World Sports Betting has also priced up Tournament Head to Head markets and I always end up getting involved. I must admit that nothing jumps out yet but I hope you will join me to discuss these and other Super Rugby markets in our forum in the build up to kick off.

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I send out a weekly e-mail with my best bet as well as links to the major previews of the weekend. It’s a free service and can hopefully add some value to your weekend so e-mail me now at brent@goodforthegame.co.za with the heading “Best Bets” and I will include you.

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