Chiefs vs Brumbies
When the fixtures were announced this match stood out and this could be the match of the round. The losing finalists from their respective domestic SR competitions face off in a match that brings two contrasting styles of playing rugby. The Chiefs are the off load kings and the play between backs and forwards is seamless. The Brumbies rely on their forward pack to score maul tries and they love the set piece plays while the Chiefs thrive on broken play. These teams were on opposite sides of last minute kicks. The Brumbies missed their kick and took the loss while the Chiefs were lucky that the Force missed their kick which gave them the win. There are fine margins in sport and it showed in the first round of this competition. I think the Chiefs looked tired from all the travelling they have had to do but I expect them to be back to their brilliant best in this game. The Brumbies caught the Crusaders in celebratory mood that’s why I think they got so close to the SR Aotearoa champions in the closing stages. The Chiefs love throwing the ball around and have dangerous players like Damien Mckenzie and Chase Tiatia who can attack from anywhere on the field. The Brumbies need to be aware of these threats and avoid kicking aimlessly. The Brumbies strength may be in their forwards with Rob Valetini leading the way but they also have great backline players like Tom Banks and Tom Wright. Banks try against the Crusaders is an early season contender for try of the competition. The Chiefs will hope that Mckenzie quickly finds his goal kicking boots as his place kicking has been poor in the last two games.
TIP: The Chiefs currently have a crisis in the locking department and have used a make shift lock against the Force and was duly targeted by the opposition. The Brumbies are masters at stealing and competing at opposition lineouts and will no doubt target this area. The Brumbies scrum was creaky against the Crusaders and they can expect to be put under pressure again by the Chiefs scrum. The Chiefs at home will be very difficult to beat and the bookies have for this reason made them favourites. I am in agreement with this assessment and these are the best odds for the Chiefs victory: at Worldsportsbetting 1.33, Playabets 1.26 and Sunbet 1.32
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Chiefs vs Brumbies
- In the last six matches between these teams the Brumbies have won just two while the Chiefs have won four.
- In eight home matches against the Brumbies there has only been one victory for the Brumbies.
- The Chiefs last home game against the Brumbies was won by the away side 26-14.
Latest results for both teams
The Chiefs won their last game against the Force 20-19 while the Brumbies lost their last game against the Crusaders 31-29..
PREDICTION
These teams have fairly evenly matched forward packs so the battle up front will be titanic. The Brumbies will see the Chiefs lineout as a weakness and will look to disrupt it as much as possible. The Chiefs will want to keep the Brumbies running around the field with their ball in hand approach. When the Chiefs gain enough possession they are almost impossible to stop because of their superb offloading skills. The all international halfback battle will go a long way to deciding this contest. I feel Brad Weber and Mckenzie are the more dangerous pair and I expect them to win this battle. I am predicting a Chiefs victory by 10 points
- Probable Starting XVs
Chiefs
15 Chase Tiatia, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Jonah Lowe, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Pita Gus Sowakula, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Aidan Ross.
Brumbies
15 Tom Banks, 14 Solomone Kata, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Tom Wright, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Henry Stowers, 5 Nick Frost, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 Scott Sio
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Chiefs victory are as follows.
Worldsportsbetting 1.33
Playabets 1.26
Sunbet 1.32
Odds comparison on a Chiefs handicap victory
The complete odds on the Chiefs handicap victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting (-7.5) 1.80
Playabets (-8.5) 1.88
Sunbet (-9.5) 1.95
Predictions and Odds in details
The turnaround in the Chiefs fortunes has been remarkable as they went from losing 12 in a row to six straight victories. The Chiefs will be home and refreshed while the Brumbies will be smarting from two losses that literally occurred after the final whistle. I feel the Brumbies are ripe for the picking and the Chiefs being back home and refreshed will run the Brumbies ragged. The home team must be more disciplined especially at the breakdown as they were heavily penalised in this area. The best fetchers in the competition, Luke Jacobson and Lachlan Boshier make the rucks a nightmare for opposition but must be careful about their decision making. The bookies have the Chiefs as favourite and there isn’t much value on the Chiefs outright victory. I suggest the value bet being the Chiefs on the handicap. These are the best odds on the Chiefs handicap victory: Worldsportsbetting (-7.5) 1.80, Playabets (-8.5) 1.88 and Sunbet (-9.5) 1.95
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.
