Six weeks into the season and Super Rugby is really starting to take shape with the contenders, probables, possibles and no-hopers starting to make themselves known. Despite the flack that Super Rugby has been copping in the media recently with regards to Australian and South African franchises being spread too thin, the competition is still fantastic to watch and it remains the premier provincial competition in world rugby. The New Zealand teams continue to flex their muscles and there is probably more of an argument that they deserve another team more than anyone else. Last weekend, the Highlanders overcame the Western Force before the Crusaders and the Lions fought it out in a classic battle in Johannesburg. The Blues, Kings, Bulls and Rebels were all also victorious, but the Chiefs win over the Brumbies was one of the most impressive wins by any team this season. Let’s get stuck into the individual match previews and make sure you follow me on Twitter (@S15_TheProfits) for last minute tips, game coverage, expert insight or just for a chat.

Best Bet 1: Chiefs vs Blues – Total Points Over (anything under 53)
Best Bet 2: Crusaders -9.5 (Force) @ $1.90 – Sportsbet (early twitter play)
Best Bet 3: Highlanders -9.5 (Reds) @ $1.91 – Bet365 (early twitter play)
Best Bet 4: Bulls -12.5 (Kings) (2 Unit Play) @ $1.91 – Bet365 

Chiefs ($1.20) vs Blues ($4.60)

The first game of round sevens kicks off at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton where the Chiefs host the Blues in an all-New Zealand derby. The Chiefs were sublime in their 48 – 23 thumping of the Brumbies last week in Canberra and the Blues would’ve been happy with their gutsy performance as well eclipsing the Jaguars 24 – 16 in Auckland.

Chiefs: WLWWWW
Blues: WLLDBW

Prediction: 

The Chiefs have now won their last four matches on the road, which is one behind their franchise record of five straight away wins in 2011. In Canberra, they inflicted the Brumbies biggest ever home defeat and back at home this week, Chiefs fans will be confident of another win given how well they have been playing this season. The return of Brodie Retallick and Dominic Bird in the second row will add some stability to their pack and promising youngster Shaun Stevenson comes back onto the wing following an injury layoff. They continue to lead the majority of the attacking stats with Brad Weber, Aaron Cruden, Charlie Ngatai, James Lowe and Damien McKenzie (especially) all enjoying stellar seasons for their franchise. Their support play is second to none at present and what is most impressive is their ability to score tries either on first or second phase.

The loss of Patrick Tuipulotu to injury is a blow to Tana Umaga’s troops and with Jerome Kaino still unavailable, the forward pack is missing some grunt and the players that can really disrupt the Chiefs flow. Rene Ranger continues to show his worth having returned to New Zealand in the off season and Rieko Ioane on the wing continues to increase his stock value with consistent performances at just 19 years of age.
The Chiefs are currently riding a nine game win streak over the Blues dating back to 2011, although only one of those matches see the Chiefs win by 13 or more. In saying that, it is hard to bet against them, even against a Blues outfit that can grind you down and I expect them to continue their great start to the season and further solidify their chances of becoming minor premiers this season.

Predicted result: Chiefs to win @ $1.20 – William Hill 

Best Bet 1: Chiefs vs Blues – Total Points Over (anything under 53) 

Western Force ($3.90) vs Crusaders ($1.25)

The second match on Friday night sees Super Rugby return to the nib Stadium in Perth where the Force will entertain the Crusaders. The Force were much improved in their 20 – 32 loss to the defending Champions last week, whereas, the Crusaders won their fourth in a row with a 43 – 37 win over the Lions in a great advertisement of Super Rugby.

Western Force: LWLLLL
Crusaders: LWBWWW

Prediction: 

It would be fair to say that the Western Force are one of the Crusaders bogey teams, with the Force winning two of the past three matches played in Perth. However, the Force will need to improve their defensive efforts this week after missing 32 tackles against the Highlanders in round six. Any weak links in defence will be punished by a Crusaders team that is high on confidence having just won both of their matches in South Africa. The Crusaders will also more than likely look to play a territory game against the Force, but they will have to be careful given how the team from Perth diffused the Highlanders kicking game last weekend. Another area that the Force will have to improve is their error rate. They simply cannot give the Crusaders too many opportunities either from set piece or in counterattacking play because players like Ryan Crotty and Nemani Nadolo know how to break a game open. In recent times, I would’ve more than likely gone the Force with the handicap at home, however, they have been below par this season and with the Crusaders not having lost since round one, I can see the visitors coasting to a double digit victory.

Predicted result: Crusaders to win @ $1.25 – Sportsbet

Best Bet 2: Crusaders -9.5 (Force) @ $1.90 – Sportsbet (early twitter play)

Stormers ($1.02) vs Sunwolves ($15.00)

The overnight match on Friday comes to us from the picturesque Newlands Stadium in Cape Town where the Stormers take on the Sunwolves. The Stormers will be rejuvenated having had a week off after their 13 – 8 win over the Jaguares in Buenos Aires, whereas the Sunwolves will be gutted after going down 28 – 33 to the Kings in Port Elizabeth.

Stormers: WWLWWB
Sunwolves: LBLLLL

Prediction: 

This will be the first time the Stormers and the Sunwolves clash in the Super Rugby competition. The Stormers have been consistently strong this season and have shown that their defence is tough to penetrate. They have a huge pack that is solid in the scrums and the lineouts and diminutive players like Juan de Jong and Cheslin Kolbe are really causing problems for their opposition with their nifty footwork. The Stormers have lost starting players Dillyn Leyds and Kurt Coleman for the season and with Robert du Preez still injured, their flyhalf stocks are being tested. Therefore, I expect to see Sevens playmaker Cheslin Kolbe to get some game time this week in the ten jersey. It is a big handicap for the home team to cover, so I am going to stay away, but I can’t see anything other than a strong Stormers victory.

Predicted result: Stormers to win comfortably @ $1.02 – Sportsbet

Hurricanes ($1.25) vs Jaguares ($4.00)

Saturday’s Super Rugby action kicks off in windy Wellington where the Hurricanes go head to head with the Jaguares of Argentina at Westpac Stadium. The Hurricanes will be well rested heading into this matchup and they will look to build on their 22-point win over the Kings in round five. The Jaguares continue to disappoint and I believe they squandered the match last weekend in their loss to the Blues in Albany.

Hurricanes: LLWWWB
Jaguares: WLBLLL

Prediction: 

The Hurricanes had a slow start to the season with losses to the Brumbies and the Highlanders, but since then they have found their mojo and started to show the form that got them to the Super Rugby Final last year. The pack is solid from one to eight and the return of a shredded Julian Savea on the wing will have flyhalf Beauden Barrett licking his lips and wanting to spread the ball in his direction. The Jaguars left a number of their players at home for this New Zealand tour given the rigours of their travelling schedule so far, but that’s no excuse as they wasted a number of opportunities against the Blues last week. They are like the Cheetahs in that they have an excellent attack, but too often are they left clutching at straws when it comes to marking up in defence. They continue to push the pass, whether it is five metres out on attack or whether they are looking to exit from the back. This is a dangerous mentality and one that clearly needs to be reigned in, but they are gaining fans from outside of Argentina as a result. The Hurricanes have never faced the Jaguares and this match has all the potential of being a high-scoring game. Based on current form, you couldn’t pick against the Hurricanes, especially at home where they have had two big wins in a row.

Predicted result: Hurricanes to win @ $1.25 – William Hill
Look for Total Points over (line hasn’t been released yet) 

Reds ($3.30) vs Highlanders ($1.33)

The Queensland Reds will host the reigning champions, the Highlanders at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday night. The Reds had the week off in round six, but in round five they came ever so close to securing their first win over the season when they went down 13 – 15 to the Waratahs in Brisbane. The Highlanders returned home last weekend and managed a 32 – 20 win over the Force on the back of a strong final 60 minutes.

Reds: LLLDLB
Highlanders: LWWWWW

Prediction: 

The Reds are yet to win a game this season, but it must be said that their game and their confidence looks to be much improved since the departure of Richard Graham. They are still trying to find their shape in attack on the back of a scrum that appears to be overpowering the majority of their opponents. They are mixing brilliance with woefulness, but they will certainly come of age over the next few seasons if they can keep this squad together. The Reds positional play and attacking game will be put under the spotlight this week given how much the Highlanders are going to kick to them.

Last year, the Highlanders snapped a four game losing streak to the Reds with a 20 – 13 win in Dunedin. Ahead of their bye next week, the Highlanders would love nothing more than to win this fixture and cement their position in second place (or first place if the Chiefs lose) in the New Zealand conference. The Reds have managed to keep within striking distance of their opponents in the last three matches, but the Highlanders have too much class and should have too many weapons for the Reds to be able to contain them.

Predicted result: Highlanders to win @ $1.33 – William Hill

Best Bet 3: Highlanders -9.5 (Reds) @ $1.91 – Bet365 (early twitter play)

Sharks ($1.50) vs Lions ($2.60)

The penultimate match of the round takes place at Kings Park in Durban where the Sharks welcome the Lions in a classic South African derby. The Sharks will be looking to return to the winner’s circle this week having lost to the Crusaders 14 – 19 in round five, and the Lions are in the same boat after their narrow loss to the Crusaders in Johannesburg last weekend

Sharks: WWWDLB
Lions: WWLWBL

Prediction: 

This will be the first of two matches played between these two proud franchises this season. Of the 25 matches played in their history, the Sharks dominate with 17 wins (and two draws), but the two-match series was squared last season with both teams winning their respective home fixtures. Both of these teams are in the same conference and will more than likely fight it out for automatic playoff qualification from the second African conference. The Lions certainly don’t have this problem with Johan Ackermann’s attacking philosophy on show for the past two seasons, but whether they can crack a staunch Sharks defence is another story. The Sharks have won the last nine against the Lions in Durban and I think home ground advantage is going to swing it in a tight contest. If you want to have a bet, go Sharks 1-12.

Predicted result: Sharks to win a close encounter @ $1.50 – Sportsbet

Kings ($5.50) vs Bulls ($1.12)

The Kings will play at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth for the second week in succession when they tackle the Bulls on Saturday night. The Kings will be looking to build on their first win of the season having trumped the Sunwolves last week. The Bulls were also victors but they weren’t very convincing in defeating the Cheetahs 23 – 18 at Loftus.

Kings: LBLLLW
Bulls: LWBDWW

Prediction: 

In the Kings second season of rugby, they have only played two matches against the Bulls, both of which they lost in 2013. I bag them every week, but the way they held out the Sunwolves last weekend in the final 20 minutes was truly impressive. They made 158 tackle in comparison to the visitor’s 75 and their attack was a lot more clinical. The Bulls have a young team and one that will improve over the coming seasons, but they still should beat the Kings by a handsome margin.

Predicted result: Bulls to win easily @ $1.15 – William Hill

Best Bet 4: Bulls -12.5 (Kings) (2 Unit Play) @ $1.91 – Bet365