Reds vs Blues
The high flying Reds play host to the Blues in this Super Rugby encounter. The home team caused the biggest upset of this season competition in the last round as they beat the previously unbeaten Chiefs. Nobody gave the Reds a hope in hell of beating the pace setters but a gritty defensive effort saw them shock the Chiefs. The Blues on the other hand had a loss they will want to quickly forget as they failed to score a try in their defeat to the Crusaders. They will want a change of tactics in this match and stop kicking away possession.
TIP: The Reds have made quite a few changes from the last match and it comes as no surprise, considering the amount of tackles the whole team made. There is a welcome return for Josh Flook who has recovered from his injury. The Blues have also made a host of changes and it remains to be seen if the new players can bring the energy that was missing in the last match. The bookies have the Blues as favourites and I’m also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.30, Gbets 1.31 and Hollywoodbets 1.30
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Reds vs Blues
- The Blues have won four of the last five matches against the Reds.
- The Reds have only lost once in their last five home matches against the Blues.
Latest results for both teams
The Reds beat the Chiefs 25-22 in their last match while the Blues lost 15-3 to the Crusaders in their last match.
PREDICTION
The Reds will be weary of the expected backlash from the Blues but if they can defend like they did in the last match then they could cause another upset. The visitors will be hoping that Beauden Barrett can finally rediscover the form that made him twice World Player of the year. He has looked a shadow of himself and has become obsessed with trying grubbers and other kicks that don’t work. The Reds will need to face up to the Blues in the scrum and if they can gain parity then it will be a close contest. I am predicting a Blues win by more than 10 points.
Probable Starting XVs
Reds
15 Jock Campbell, 14 Suliasi Vunivalu, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Taj Anna, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Lawson Creighton, 9 Tate McDermott (cc), 8 Seru Uru, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Liam Wright (cc), 5 Angus Blyth, 4 Connor Vest, 3 Sef Fa’agase, 2 Richie Asiata, 1 George Blake
Blues
15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Bryce Heem, 12 Harry Plummer, 11 AJ Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Sam Nock, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Adrian Choat, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Cameron Suafoa, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Jordan Lay
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Blues victory are as follows:
Betway 1.30
Gbets 1.31
Hollywoodbets 1.30
Odds comparison on the Blues handicap:
The complete odds on the Blues handicap:
Betway 1.90 (-9.5)
Gbets 1.87 (-9.5)
Hollywoodbets 1.89 (-9.5)
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor returns on the Blues outright win but if you looking for better odds then we suggest the away team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.90 (-9.5), Gbets 1.87 (-9.5) and Hollywoodbets 1.89 (-9.5)
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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.
