We managed to tip you into winners in five of the six games to open the season so a high bar has been set already for the Super Rugby Pacific season.
Chiefs with a start ($1.91), Brumbies win ($1.91), Total Points Reds-Hurricanes ($1.85), Blues covering the margin ($1.96) and Fijian Drua covering the margin ($1.89) all saluted in Round 1. Only a conversion in the final minutes scuttled another $1.90 collect from the Rebels-Force game.
All 12 teams are in Melbourne for Super Round over three days for Round 2. Where’s the value? Let’s check out our Super Rugby tips for Round 2 action!
2023 Super Rugby Pacific: Round 2 Preview & Betting Tips
Melbourne Rebels v Hurricanes
AAMI Park, Melbourne, Friday March 3rd, 8:10pm (AEDT)
The Hurricanes have won each of their last nine meetings against the Rebels and all by 10 or more points.
The Canes were challenged early by the Reds last weekend but as soon as the game loosened up they were away. The Kiwis scored two tries from turnovers and five overall to show their attacking potency.
Big winger Salesi Rayasi made 11 runs in that game so expect him to be near the trys corers in this one because he’s a hungry finisher.
The Rebels blew it big time against the Force by squandering a 14-point lead. This is a far tougher assignment and will be costly more quickly if they want to miss 36 tackles again.
The Rebels have to scrap hard and defend well to have a chance. That means the likes of Brad Wilkin and Richard Hardwick, in the back row, applying pressure around the ball. Hurricanes for sure.
Over 60.5 Points
$1.83 (3 Units)
NSW Waratahs v Fijian Drua
AAMI Park, Melbourne, Saturday March 4th, 7:35pm (AEDT)
This is a real test for the Waratahs because the Fijians are much improved and nailing more of the chances they always create.
The good sign for the Waratahs is that their tackle completion rate at 86 per cent was one of the highest in Round One. They are up for the task of shackling the free-running Fijians.
The Waratahs did score three good tries (anything that’s not a rolling maul try) against the Brumbies with some polished handling and the two-try presence of teenage winger Max Jorgensen.
The Waratahs look far more balanced with Wallaby Langi Gleeson at No.8 ahead of Charlie Gamble.
This contest produced two blowout wins by more than 20 points for the Waratahs last year. This one will be much tighter with more Drua fans in the stands than Waratahs supporters.
Waratahs -7.5 pts
$1.91 (3 Units)
ACT Brumbies v Blues
AAMI Park, Melbourne, Sunday March 5th, 2:00pm (AEDT)
These two top-tier teams played out two tight games last season, including the semi-final won 20-19 by the Blues in Auckland.
There will be confidence within the Brumbies that they can sustain pressure and physical presence to go with the Blues for 80 minutes.
They will also have the generalship with Wallabies Nic White and Noah Lolesio again coming off the bench as super-subs in the halves.
The Brumbies conceded the fewest penalties and were one of the most efficient sides in winning ruck ball in Round One...two excellent ingredients for the sort of flow they like to apply pressure to win games.
Backrower Rob Valetini’s 10 runs for 67m and nine tackles were emblematic of the crunch to the forwards while the backs scored some terrific tries.
This will be a test for former sevens flyer Corey Toole, five-star against the Waratahs but now facing the Kiwis.
The Blues ran rampant in smashing the Highlanders 60-20 and most particularly winger Mark Talea. His 248 running metres, four line breaks and 13 defenders beaten were almost better stats than some losing teams in 2022.
The Blues made a staggering 19 offloads in that win which is the way they keep rolling at their best. Big defence is needed from the Brumbies and they can go close again.
Blues Win By 1-12 Points
$2.50 (2 Units)
Queensland Reds v Western Force
AAMI Park, Sunday March 5th, 4:30pm (AEDT)
The Reds were awful at times in Townsville. After building a 13-6 lead, they gave up 41 unanswered points to the Hurricanes. They were architects of their own demise with two dumb yellow cards, adding to their reputation for ill discipline, 32 missed tackles and turnovers that led directly to two costly tries.
This is a big game for the Reds to claw back a win or they will be chasing the season at 0-2.
Expect far better from the Queenslanders. They don’t have a Wallaby in the tight five and that is a huge handbrake in class. Prop Zane Nonggorr is a big improver.
The return of flanker Liam Wright will add composure and patience to the Reds.
Otherwise, all the big returning stars for the Reds are backs. James O’Connor, Suliasi Vunivalu and Jock Campbell will all add punch from the bench.
The Force rallied superbly to beat the Rebels last weekend. No team in Round One missed fewer tackles (13) which is always a sign of how bonded a team is.
Former All Black lock Jeremy Thrush returns to the starting side at 37 after his match-winning cameo against the Rebels.
Some nice match-ups here with former Reds pair Bryce Hegarty and Hamish Stewart up against old teammates. The Reds to win or their season is in strife.
Reds -6.5 Points
$1.85 (4 Units)
More Super Rugby Round 2 Betting Tips
Crusaders v Highlanders
AAMI Park, Melbourne, Friday March 3rd, 6:00pm (AEDT)
Highest Scoring Half: Second Half $1.80 Bet now at Ladbrokes
Moana Pasifika v Chiefs
AAMI Park, Melbourne, Saturday March 4th, 5:05pm (AEDT)
Anytime Tryscorer: Samisoni Taukeiaho $1.80 Bet now at Ladbrokes
