Waratahs vs Crusaders
The Crusaders performance against the SR AU champions last week send shivers down the spine of all the other teams. They were brilliant and superbly led by arguably the best player in the world, Richie Mo’unga. He has everything a player could need, frightening pace and the ability to beat defenders like they are statues. I know rugby is a team sport but this guy is on another planet and his team mates just need to get the ball to him. The Waratahs will hope that they can catch the Crusaders on their rare off day. We have seen that the Crusaders after a brilliant performance their next match they are not as sharp. The Waratahs have shown a marked improvement since SR AU especially on attack. They are scoring a lot more tries and the catalyst for much of this is Jake Gordon. He is the one international class player in this team and they will once again look to him to spark their attack. Their biggest problem is their defence and if they can’t sort that out then expect another 50 plus score against them. It is so difficult to find any flaws in the Crusaders team and if they starting XV isn’t scary enough then the replacements are just as damaging. The emergence of players like Ethan Blackadder and Cullen Grace shows that even the young players come into the team full of confidence. They were relentless in attack against the Reds and never gave them a chance to breath. The Waratahs need to slow the Crusaders ball down otherwise Mo’unga and Co. will have another field day at the office. The home ground advantage will hopefully spark the Waratahs into their best performance of the season as anything less could see this match turn very ugly for them.
TIP: The way the Reds were dismantled in the last match suggests that this could be another highly lop sided clash between the strongest and weakest teams in SR Trans-Tasman. The Waratahs are on their worst ever losing streak of eleven games and that is sure to continue but they will want to at least be respectable in defeat. There have been some shining lights in the Waratahs season with props Harry Johnson-Holmes and Angus Bell being excellent in the loose and scoring tries. The withdrawal of star centres Izaia Perese just before the match didn’t help their cause and if he is fit then he will provide that impetus so badly missing in the midfield. The bookies obviously have the Crusaders as major favourites and nobody can argue with that. The best odds on the Crusaders victory are at: Worldsportsbetting 1.02, Playabets 1.01 and Sunbet 1.01
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Waratahs vs Crusaders
- The last five matches between the two sides have seen just one victory for the Waratahs.
- The Waratahs have won 3 of their last 4 home matches against the Crusaders.
- Crusaders last beat the Waratahs at home in 2017.
Latest results for both teams
The Waratahs lost their last match against the Blues 48-21 and the Crusaders beat the Reds 63-28 in their last match..
PREDICTION
If we look at the Crusaders demolition of the best team in Australia then its mind boggling as to what may happen when they play the weakest team in Australia. We could see a huge cricket score in this match but I am being brave in saying that I don’t think that will happen. In recent seasons after a mind blowing performance the Crusaders seem to take the foot of the pedal in their next match. I expect this trend to continue especially if they decide to rest some of their All Black stars. The Waratahs must attack and not kick away possession as this is suicide against the Crusaders. They are the best counter attacking team in world rugby so the Waratahs need to treasure their possession. The bookies are correct in making the Crusaders overwhelming favourites and I predict a Crusaders victory by less than 30 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Waratahs
15 Jack Maddocks, 14 Alex Newsome, 13 Izaia Perese, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 James Turner, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 William Harris, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Lachlan Swinton, 5 Max Douglas, 4 Hugh Sinclair, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Dave Porecki, 1 Angus Bell.
Crusaders
15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 David Havili, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Cullen Grace, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Mitchell Dunshea, 3 Oliver Jager, 2 Codie Taylor (captain), 1 George Bower.
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Crusaders victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.02
Playabets 1.01
Sunbet 1.01
Odds comparison on a Waratahs handicap :
The complete odds on the Waratahs handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (+31.5) 1.90
Sunbet (+31.5) 1.90
Playabets (+31.5) 1.82
Predictions and Odds in details
Confidence in rugby is key and so is desperation. The Crusaders are supremely confident and rightly so after they put in a performance of the season against the Reds. The Waratahs are desperate for a win to break their losing streak. This is not the match that they will end the losing streak therefore playing without pressure could see the Waratahs throw caution to the wind. This does not mean they must run from anywhere but must kick accurately and having Will Harrison at fullback will definitely help their cause. The Crusaders know that anything other than a bonus point victory will be regarded as a major shock. The Waratahs must constantly put pressure on the Crusaders and they have a tendency to concede multiple penalties when this happens. This may be the only way the Waratahs can stay close to the Crusaders on the score board. There is no value for the punter on a Crusaders outright victory. I am backing the Waratahs on the value bet to cover the handicap. The best odds on the Waratahs handicap is as follows: Worldsportsbetting (+31.5) 1.90, Sunbet (+31.5) 1.90 and Playabets (+31.5) 1.82
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.
