We started to get an idea of who the big teams will be and who the underdogs will be after a big first weekend of Super Rugby Pacific.
With Round 2 in the wings, our team has a look at which teams to be with this weekend.
highlanders vs. crusaders
february 25th 5:05pm
The Crusaders are the undeniable favourites for their Week 2 Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Highlanders.
After scoring a 42-32 win over the Hurricanes last weekend, the Crusaders will be looking to not only continue their winning form in the Super Rugby Pacific, but their winning form against the Highlanders.
It was the Crusaders who came away with a 33-12 win when the teams last met back in April 2021.
The market is siding heavily with the Crusaders and it is no wonder why given they are the rightful tournament favourites.
Suggested Bet: Crusaders -12.5 at $1.91
nsw waratahs vs. queensland reds
25th february 7:45pm
Two old Rugby Union foes go head to head when NSW Waratahs lock horns with the Queensland Reds on Friday night at Leichhardt Oval.
Both teams capitalised when playing inferior opposition in their season openers with the Waratahs smashing a hapless Fijian Drua 40-10, while the Reds made light work of the Melbourne Rebels.
The Waratahs will boast the home-ground advantage in this clash, but it is the Reds who hold sway at the head to head in recent times having won three out of the last four against NSW.
Back-to-back wins have been hard to come by for the Waratahs.
They last time they achieved that feat was back in August 2020, but there was something to really like about the win last week.
It was tumultuous year for NSW last season, but they look to have turned the corner with new coach Darren Coleman.
Expecting the Waratahs to break that back-to-back hoodoo despite being the underdogs here.
Suggested Bet: NSW Waratahs head to head at $2.90
act brumbies vs. fijian drua
26th february 2:35pm
The ACT Brumbies come into their battle against Fijian Drua as the unbackable $1.02 favourites.
Fijian Drua, based off what we saw in their 40-10 loss against NSW last weekend, are going to be the underdogs and outsiders in effectively every game they play this season.
For the ACT Brumbies, they will be looking to improve again off a 29-23 win over Western Force in the season opener last week.
GIO Stadium is going to prove a fortress for the home team this season and expect nothing to change in this clash.
Expect winger Tom Wright to hit the scoreboard again as he looks to dominate with his line breaks and runs down the flanks.
Suggested Bet: ACT Brumbies half-time/full-time double at $1.09
blues vs. hurricanes
26th february 5:05pm
The Blues get their Super Rugby Pacific season underway when they prepare to face the Hurricanes at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday evening.
After having their inaugural match postponed, Leon MacDonald and his men will be chomping at the bit to get involved with the action and they are well fancied to score victory as the $1.36 favourites in this one.
The Hurricanes, despite playing the best team in the league in the form of the Crusaders, looked very vulnerable in defence last week.
A 42-32 loss highlighted the defensive insufficiencies of their squad and it opens up a chance for the Blues to begin the season with a bang.
Suggested Bet: Blues/Blues half-time/full-time double at $1.62
melbourne rebels vs. western force
26th february 7:45pm
Two teams looking to rebound off season-opening losses come toe to toe when the Melbourne Rebels host the Western Force at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
If last season’s clash between these teams is anything to go by, we are set for a cracker.
The Force were 16-15 winners back in April 2021, but the Rebels do have the advantage, this time, of playing on their home deck.
Melbourne Rebels will be looking to take it to a Force team who were riddled with errors late in their loss against the Brumbies last week.
Kyle Godwin was left to rue a handful of late errors last weekend and will need to clean up his act if his mob are a chance of defeating for the Rebels.
Think the home team gets one back after the heart break of last year.
Suggested Bet:Melbourne Rebels head to head at $1.83
