8 July 2020, by: Carl Lewis

Super Rugby AU: Round 2 Predictions

The Rebels host the Reds in a Super Rugby match at Brookvale Oval on Friday. While on Saturday, we welcome back the Western Force into Super Rugby – they travel to Sydney to take on the waratahs.

We preview both matches in Super Rugby AU Round 2.

Friday 10 July

11:05 – Reds v Melbourne Rebels

The Rebels will be frustrated by the way their Super Rugby AU campaign got started after losing 31-23 to the Brumbies in Canberra. After a poor first half, the Rebels played well in the second stanza. Before Super Rugby was halted, the Rebels were on a two-match winning run. First, they beat the Highlanders 28-22 at before toppling the Lions 37-17 at home. 

The Reds scored a nice win in their Super Rugby AU opener, they beat the Waratahs 32-26 in Sydney. It was an exciting Australian derby but it still lacked quality you find in Super Rugby Aotearoa. Nevertheless, the positive is that the Reds did score four tries. In their two matches before the lockdown break, the Reds beat the Bulls 41-17 in Brisbane and narrowly lost 24-20 to the Crusaders away, a match they could have won.

The last time the sides met was last year in Melbourne, with the Rebels running out 30-24 winners and we should expect a similar result. The Rebels play exciting rugby that can be very effective, the Reds, unfortunately, do not have the forward pack to counter the Rebels side looking to feed their backs.

Prediction: Rebels by 5.

Best Bet:

Saturday 11 July 

11:15 – Waratahs v Western Force

Look who is back in the big time? The Western Force make their return to Super Rugby for the first time since 2017 before they were dumped out. Since then they’ve been plying their trade-in the Global Rapid Rugby competition and doing quite well. Coach Tim Sampson has built a strong squad and they were successful in both the National Rugby Championship and the Global Rapid Rugby event this season.

The Waratahs lost their Super Rugby AU 32-26 to the Reds although they gave a decent account of themselves. The ‘Tahs were second from bottom on the combined Super Rugby log. They had lost a whopping six of their seven matches in Super Rugby, in a very disappointing 2020 so far. They also got thrashed 51-14 at home to the Chiefs before getting a 29-17 win at home over an average Lions side.

Although the Waratahs are the bookie’s favourites, the Force might be a great bet considering they will have a point to prove and the fact the ‘Tahs are in horrible shape in 2020. 

Prediction: Waratahs by 10.

Best Bet: