Super Rugby Australia begins this weekend and the team at BetDeluxe is here to break down the action across a huge double header.
The Reds take on the Waratahs in a bid to maintain their late season form while the reigning champion Brumbies play off against the cellar dwelling Force.
qld reds v nsw waratahs
february 19th 7:45pm
Last year’s runners up, the Queensland Reds, begin their season at home against traditional rivals the New South Wales Waratahs.
Little has changed for Coach Brad Thorn as the majority of the Reds squad returns, meaning standards in Queensland will be high, the Red faithful are expecting success.
For the Waratahs new Captain Jake Gordon headlines a team full of fresh blood. Now two years into a full scale rebuild Coach Rob Penney will be hoping the development of fly-half Will Harrison, prop Angus Bell and winger James Ramm will continue and catapult this squad back into finals contention.
The Waratahs have the recent edge here, winning 7 of the last 10 bouts between these two, including a surprise 45-12 thrashing in their last fixture.
It’s nice to see the Rugby season open with one of the great Aussie rivalries and there is some hope that the intensity of the stage will make up for the discrepancy in talent and experience but continuity is a strong force in sports.
Suggested Bet: Reds -8.5 at $1.89
western force v brumbies
february 19th 7:45pm
Last years the Force successfully saved top flight Rugby Union in Australia but failed to register a victory. Despite an 0-8 record they managed to make a positive impression on the Australian Union scene, even catching the eyes of the Wallabies selectors through Fergus Lee-Warner, Brynard Stander snd Byron Ralston.
Contrastingly Alan Alaalatoa and the rest of the Brumbies are returning after lifting their 3rd title and the inaugural Super Rugby AU trophy. Dan McKellar returns as coach despite rumbles he was on the way to join the Wallabies staff.
The usual suspects from last season’s triumph have mostly returned, keep an eye out for emerging stars Nick Frost, Len Ikitau, Darcy Swain and of course fly-half Noah Lolesio.
The improvement from the Force is to be expected. Last season was difficult for all squads but nothing compared to what the WA squad had to endure. This season they return hungry and bolstered by some legitimate international talent.
Nonetheless, this is still a matchup of last years first and last place finishers and these Brumbies squad is rightfully in contention for the repeat.
Suggested Bet: Brumbies -5.5 at $1.89
