Super Rugby Aotearoa & Australia | 2021-04-01

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.

Crusaders v Highlanders

Friday 2 April – 08:05

The Crusaders are 4-0 this season and deservedly sitting at the summit of the Super Rugby Aotearoa table. To add to their dominance, all four victories have been by a margin of 13 or more points. The Highlanders head to Christchurch with a dismal record against their Northern rivals. It’s been a frustrating season for ‘Landers with inconsistencies rooting them to the foot of the table. Add to the fact that they will be without six first team players due to disciplinary issues, it makes the task even greater.

The Crusaders are a frightening prospect on home turf and have covered the spread in all four fixtures so far in 2021. The Highlanders haven’t won at Orangetheory Stadium since 2015 with their six losses since then averaging 17 points. The Highlanders have only covered the spread once in their last seven meetings against the Crusaders and I can’t see any other result than a big Crusaders win.

Waratahs v Brumbies

Friday 26 March – 10:45

The Waratahs face the reigning champions off the back of a controversial sacking of head coach Rob Penney after last week’s thrashing by the Reds. The Waratahs struggles have been too great to summarise as creativity and experience has been hard to come by. The Brumbies head on the road after dismantling the Western Force in Canberra last weekend. They know that nothing short of a bonus point victory will be sufficient in narrowing the gap with league leaders, the Reds.

At first glance, this handicap seems a massive margin for a home side. The Brumbies aren’t traditionally a side that beats big spreads, having only covered one of their last five handicaps of more than 20 points. NSW will be itching to provide some form of performance and although I can’t see a victory, I’ll tentatively believe that they have enough to beat a three try handicap.

Blues v Hurricanes

Saturday 3 April – 08:05

The Blues will be looking to bounce back from their late defeat to the Chiefs as they are in Auckland this weekend. The Blues started the season promisingly, having dispatched the Hurricanes by 15 points in Round 1. The Hurricanes recorded their first win of the season last weekend after a Jordie Barrett masterclass outplayed the Highlanders in Dunedin.

The Blues have to get their season back on track and have performed well in Auckland this tournament. The Blues should have the upper hand in the set piece, but it remains to been seen if the halfback pairing will be able to capitalise. The Hurricanes present a decent prospect and will be riding the form guide going into the fixture. The Hurricanes have covered their last nine out of 13 on the road, and I can’t see this fixture being settled by more than a single score.

Rebels v Reds

Saturday 3 April – 10:45

The Rebels return for their second consecutive fixture at AAMI Park as they look to extend their winning run. It won’t be an easy task as they face the unbeaten Queenslanders, who have looked irresistible in 2021. The Reds have faced their challenges in the build up to the fixture, losing both wingers and being forced into quarantine.

The Rebels have kept the games close this season with three out of a possible four fixtures being decided by three points or less. The Rebels pride themselves on their defence and they will be able to nullify the threat of the Reds backline. Couple the disruptions in the Reds camp with the fact that the Rebels have covered all four fixtures this season, I’m happy to take the home side.