Crusaders vs Brumbies
These teams come into this match with contrasting emotions as the Crusaders were crowned champions for the fifth consecutive year while the Brumbies surrendered their title with a heartbreaking last minute loss. The best possible way for the Brumbies to bounce to back will be to cause an upset win in Christchurch. This could possibly happen as the Crusaders may still be in that celebratory mood but Scott Robertson is too professional to let that happen. The Crusaders have made some changes for this match and it’s a welcome return for Braydon Ennor who has been out all season with injury and if anything this makes the team even stronger. The Brumbies as usual will look to their rolling maul to score tries but the bad news for them is that they are coming up against the best team at defending the maul. The common theme for the Brumbies all season is that they start their matches like a house on fire build substantial leads and then defend that lead. It may have backfired in the final but that is the way they play. The Crusaders are generally slow starters but their strength lies in the second half when they find another gear just as the opposition starts tiring. When we look at these teams, there is no doubting who the stand out player is. Richie Mo’unga again showed us in the final why is the best number 10 in world rugby when his moments of brilliance changed the course of the match and the Brumbies must avoid giving him space otherwise he will make them pay dearly. The Crusaders threats are all over the park so the Brumbies will need to have their defensive structures in place or else this match could be over very early.
TIP: The Brumbies need to find more creativity in their attack as they will not be able to use their forwards to dominate the Crusaders. Their weakness in the second half of games will be ruthlessly exposed therefore they will need their bench players to play a big part in this match. The Crusaders on their home patch almost never lose and I see their winning trend at home continuing. The home side’s biggest danger is complacency and they will need to start strongly against a team who loves to score early in the match. The bookies have the Crusaders as heavy favourites and I agree with that prediction and see a comfortable home victory. The best odds on the Crusaders victory are at: Worldsportsbetting 1.08, Playabets 1.05 and Sunbet 1.1.08
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Crusaders vs Brumbies
- The last nine matches between these teams have been won by the Crusaders.
- The Crusaders have never lost at home to the Brumbies.
- The last time the Brumbies beat the Crusaders was in 2009.
Latest results for both teams
The Crusaders won their last match against the Chiefs 24-13 while the Brumbies last their last match against the Reds 19-16.
PREDICTION
I expect the Crusaders to with stand the expected early onslaught from the Brumbies as they know the Aussie team love scoring early. The Crusaders pack will dominate the Brumbies pack that is missing Wallaby regulars James Slipper and Pete Samu. The home team will attack from all over the field with game breakers like Leicester Fainga’anuku and George Bridge. This team has class all over and the biggest danger is Mo’unga who can create magic out of nothing, it’s for these reasons that I see a big win for the Crusaders by more than 20 points
- Probable Starting XVs
Crusaders
15 George Bridge, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Braydon Ennor 12, David Havili 11, Leicester Fainga’anuku 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Cullen Grace, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Mitchell Dunshea, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower
Brumbies
15 Tom Banks, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Tom Wright, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Tom Cusack, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Crusaders victory are:
Worldsportsbetting 1.08
Playabets 1.05
Sunbet 1.08
Odds comparison on a Crusaders handicap victory
The complete odds on the Chiefs handicap victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting (-18.5) 1.80
Sunbet (-20.5) 1.93
Playabets (-18.5) 1.84
Predictions and Odds in details
The stats say it all in this battle as the Brumbies have never beaten the Crusaders in Christchurch. This Crusaders team must rank as one of the best SR teams of all time and five consecutive titles bear testimony to that. The Brumbies team are decent with their starting XVs but have shown throughout SR AU that their bench is among the weakest. This will spell serious danger for them against the champions as the Crusaders play their best rugby after their replacements come on the field. I think the match could be close up until half time thereafter I expect a landslide victory for the Crusaders. There isn’t much money for punters on the outright Crusaders victory therefore I suggest the Crusaders on the handicap victory. These are the best odds on the handicap win: Worldsportsbetting (-18.5) 1.80, Sunbet (-20.5) 1.93 and Playabets (-18.5) 1.84
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
