16 July 2020, by: Carl Lewis

Super Rugby Aotearoa Round 7 Preview and Predictions

The Crusaders welcome the Hurricanes to the Orangetheory Stadium in Super Rugby Aotearoa on Saturday. On Sunday, the Blues are back at Eden Park to host the Chiefs.

We preview each match of Round 7 Super Rugby Aotearoa.

Saturday 25 June

09:05 – Crusaders v Hurricanes

The Crusaders have been flying (as usual) in Super Rugby Aotearoa with four wins from four matches in the reconstructed competition.

They beat the Hurricanes 39-25 away from home in their first match of the tournament. The match was tighter than the scoreline suggests. After this, the ‘Saders beat the Chiefs 18-13 at home and a then pulled off a dominant 40-20 win at the Highlanders.

The Crusaders most recent match was a heavyweight clash against the resurgent Blues in Christchurch. In a very competitive clash, the Crusaders won 26-15 after kicking into another gear in the final few minutes.

The Hurricanes have seemingly put their inconsistency behind them. After beginning Super Rugby Aotearoa with two losses they’ve bounced back to win their next three matches.

That winning streak started with a 26-18 win against the Chiefs before beating the Highlanders 17-11 in appalling conditions. Last week the Hurricanes pulled off their biggest win yet when beat the in-form Blues 29-27 at home in another enthralling Super Rugby Aotearoa match. 

Despite the Hurricanes, newfound confidence, the Crusaders have won their last six matches against them. Their last contest ended 39-25 to the Crusaders in Wellington just three weeks ago.

Prediction: Crusaders by 9

Best Bet:

Sunday 26 July 

05:35 – Blues v Chiefs

The Blues were on a seven-match winning streak before losing their heavyweight clash 26-15 to the Crusaders in Christchurch two weeks ago. The Blues stumbled once again as they suffered a narrow 29-27 defeat away to the Hurricanes but their performance was still very encouraging in another great example fo the quality of rugga in Super Rugby Aotearoa.

Being back at Eden Park will help the Blues snap this two0match losing streak against an under-performing Chiefs.

The Chiefs just can’t manage to win as they lost their fifth consecutive match to the Highlanders last weekend. In fairness, some of the defeats have been tight losses but they’ll still be smarting after allowing the Highlanders to win 33-31 in Hamilton.

In the second weekend of Super Rugby Aotearoa, the Blues travelled to Hamilton and dominated the fixture to win 24-12. So you have to fancy the Blues once again.

Prediction: Blues by 6.

Best Bet: