Super Rugby Aotearoa & AU – 2021-03-25

Our punter Neal Hoogwerf is back this weekend and has his eyes set on a full house. We preview every match from Super Rugby Aotearoa and AU.

Highlanders v Hurricanes

Friday 26 March – 08:05

The Highlanders head back to Forsyth Barr after a bye week and will be looking to record their second win of the campaign. The Hurricanes head on the road after a second-half horror show saw them concede 28 points to sink to a six-point loss against the Chiefs. It’s a transitional period for Wellington rugby, however, they will be boosted by the return of All Black Dane Coles to the starting line-up.

History favours the Hurricanes as they have won six of the last eight between these two sides. The Highlanders have been overrated by the market at Forsyth Barr, having covered in four of their last 16 games at home. In what feels like a pick ’em encounter, I’ll be going for the Hurricanes to get off the mark in the 2021 season.

Brumbies v Western Force

Friday 26 March – 10:45

The Brumbies 12 match unbeaten run came to an end in their previous encounter after sliding to a narrow 38-40 thriller against the Reds. They will be back to square one this weekend at GIO Stadium and will be looking to close the gap on the log leaders.

The Western Force turned in an inspiring display when going down 26-19 against the Reds last weekend in Brisbane. The Force have had a mixed season, in covering two out of a possible four fixtures. Defence has been the name of the game for the Perth outfit and they will be drawing out solutions to stopping the Brumbies maul threat this weekend.

The Brumbies are a formidable side at GIO Stadium and have covered 11 of their last 16 games when favoured by double digits. The Brumbies overturned the Force by 16 points in Round 1 and I expect a similar margin.

Chiefs v Blues

Saturday 27 March – 08:05

The Chiefs were at their brilliant best last weekend after recording a resounding second-half performance to snap their 12-match losing streak. The Blues started the season as title hopefuls but were humbled by the Crusaders in going down 27-43 in Auckland last weekend.

The Chiefs have a strong head-to-head record against the Blues in Waikato, having won eight of the last nine fixtures. Although this is offset by their woeful record of not covering the spread in their last seven at home, I fancy the Chiefs as 5-point underdogs here. The Chiefs must prove that last weekend wasn’t a flash in the pan and there are still question marks over the Blues’ 9-10- 12 combinations. Tight affair on the cards in Waikato.

Waratahs v Reds

Saturday 27 March – 10:45

The Waratahs return home to Sydney for the first time since their disappointing four point loss against the Reds in Round 3. The Waratahs have been nothing short of woeful in 2021 and have failed to cover the spread in all four games in 2021. Looking for positives for the ‘Tahs are few and far between, but fans will be boosted by the timely return of centre pairing Izaia Perese and Lalakai Foketi.

The Reds head on the road after an unbeaten start to 2021. Captain James O’Connor has spoken of building a dynasty in Queensland rugby and they have certainly provided peak entertainment in scoring 15 tries in four fixtures to date.

There seems to be no reason to back the Waratahs at the moment but historically, the home side has performed well in the NSW-QLD derby. I’ll be tentatively siding with the ‘Tahs and giving them one last chance to cover the handicap.