The second batch of games in the penultimate round of the regular season
All times are BST, all prices are green listed bookmaker Bet365
Friday 7th July
10.45am
Reds v Brumbies
In by far the weakest of the 2017 Rugby Conferences, the Brumbies lead the Australian group albeit with a record of 6 wins and 7 losses. This will guarantee them a home quarter final against a New Zealand franchise finishing in 5th place in the combined standings, probably the Highlanders, a game for which the Brumbies will be underdogs.
The Reds meanwhile have only three wins all season and are 15th in the combined standings with nothing to play for here in another disappointing season. They ran the weakest of the New Zealand franchises, the Blues, close a fortnight ago losing 34-29. The Brumbies meanwhile were at home to the Rebels and won 32-3
Here in Brisbane the Reds are 6 point underdogs for the game at 10/11. At this stage of the season I would expect the Brumbies to cover -6
12.55pm
Force v Rebels
Two Australian franchises out of contention for the play-offs meet in Perth. The Force have 4 wins and 9 defeats this season and have looked improved in patches. In their last game they lost 34-12 at home to the Hrricanes following a 40-26 win away at the Reds
That they are 7.5 point favourites here reflects the dreadful season the Rebels are having. The Rebels have recorded one win all season and have lost their last three games by 29, 22 and 27 points. Away from home here it would be major suprise if they covered +7.5
Saturday 8th July
10.45am
Waratahs v Los Jaguares
Two mid table teams meet this weekend, neither in play-off contention. The Jaguares had a surprise home defeat last weekend, 30-31 to the Kings and their form in the second half of the season has slumped and they have only won one of their last eight games.
The Waratahs lost 46-31 at the Chiefs following a 50 point win against the Rebels at home. Given the Jaguares form a quote of -10 here is probably fair enough but I am not rushing to back them giving up double digit points.
3.15pm
Bulls v Kings
The Bulls have had a disappointing season, 13th in the combined table with only 4 wins, but one of those 4 wins was a notable 30-17 victory in Durban against the Sharks last weekend. The Kings meanwhile were winning 31-30 in Buenos Aires to give them their fifth win of the season, up to 11th in the combined table in what has been an improved season for perennial super rugby basement dwellers, ironic as they are now set to leave the competition with the consolidation of the tournament next season.
The Bulls are quoted at -9 at 10/11 here but that looks aggressive to me. The Kings can put up points with an attacking style, they have scored 74 more than the Bulls this season over their 13 games each and I will take the Kings +9 here
6.30pm
Stormers v Sunwolves
The Stormers have won African Conference one and are set for the play offs in 3rd spot, to host a New Zealand wild card franchise (currently the Chiefs in 6th). The Stormers won 40-34 at the Cheetahs last week
The Sunwolves fell to a record defeat at the Lions last week 94-7 and are bottom of the combined table with one win all season, having conceded no fewer than 598 points in their 13 games.
Another heavy defeat awaits here. In their last three games the Sunwolves have scored 7,7and 17 points and the Stormers should score well over 50. Th.us a quote of the Stormers -29 is attractive
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