Blues vs Brumbies
The Blues play host to the Brumbies at Eden Park in this crucial Super Rugby encounter. The home team have been playing brilliantly in the last few matches and have most of their All Blacks stars fit for this match. The visitors have also found form at the right time and are on a five-match unbeaten run. Both teams will be pushing for home quarter final and semifinal of they get through. The Blues lost Stephen Perofeta to a shoulder injury and were expected to struggle without their pivot but Harry Plummer has stepped in superbly in his absence.
TIP: Both teams have the exact same record of six wins from their seven matches and both are on 27 points. The forward packs of these teams have stepped up the heat on the opposition so we should be in for a titanic battle between the packs. There is razzle dazzle in the backs as the Blues have the likes of Mark Telea and Caleb Clarke while the Brumbies have the quickest man in the competition in Corey Toole. The bookies have the Blues as favorites and I’m also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.28, Gbets 1.28 and Hollywoodbets 1.28
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS
Blues vs Brumbies
- The Blues have won three of the last four matches between the sides.
- The home side have only won one of the last three matches between the sides.
Latest results for both teams
The Blues beat the Force 50-3 in their last match while the Brumbies beat the Waratahs 40-16 in their last match.
PREDICTION
There are plenty of excellent head to head match ups but none more so than Telea up against Toole. Both men have been scoring tries for fun in the last two seasons with the Aussie again leading the try scoring charts. The match will be decided by the two packs and the Blues have the slight edge in this department especially with Captain Patrick Tuipulotu in the team. He provides that extra grunt and the team performs better with their leader at the helm. The Brumbies will look to move the big Blues across the park but the power of the home side will see them to victory by 4 points.
Probable Starting XVs
Blues
15 Cole Forbes, 14 Mark Tele’a, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Bryce Heem, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Harry Plummer, 9 Taufa Funaki, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Laghlan McWhannell, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Brumbies
15 Tom Wright, 14 Ollie Sapsford, 13 Hudson Creighton, 12 Tamati Tua, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Ryan Lonergan (c), 8 Charlie Cale, 7 Jahrome Brown, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Sefo Kautai, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Blues victory are as follows:
Betway 1.28
Gbets 1.28
Hollywoodbets 1.28
Odds comparison on the Brumbies handicap:
The complete odds on the Brumbies handicap:
Betway 1.90 (+10.5)
Gbets 1.90 (+10.5)
Hollywoodbets 1.90 (+10.5)
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor odds on the Blues outright win therefore we suggest backing the home team on the handicap for better odds. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.90 (+10.5), Gbets 1.90 (+10.5) and Hollywoodbets 1.90 (+10.5)
Other tips for the weekend (Predicted winners are in BOLD text)
Glasgow vs Sharks
Ulster vs Cardiff
Saracens vs Gloucester
Connacht vs Zebre
Edinburgh vs Scarlets
Benetton vs Dragons
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.
