Super Rugby Round 7 Predictions!

My Superbru fortunes seem to be alternating each weekend, with a good round followed by a bad one. Round 6 saw a climb of nearly 27,000 places into the top 10% globally as I managed to beat the Superbru community, which managed an average of 2.95 correct picks out of 7. My only two incorrect picks were the Crusaders' defeat to the Waratahs (picked by 2%) and the Chiefs beating the Bulls (7%). Hopefully that doesn't mean that Round 7 will deliver a red arrow.



Well done to Sharon Smith from New Zealand who had the Yellow Cap in my 'Challenge Hutch' pool last weekend. That Bulls loss was the only game Sharon got wrong as she had the Waratahs by 6!

Let's get on with this week then and here are my predictions for Round 7 of Super Rugby.

Hurricanes v Crusaders

This is a tough pick to kick off the weekend's action. The Crusaders rarely lose at all, and so to consider they might lose two in a row seems foolish, but they haven't won in Wellington since 2012, with the home side winning this fixture on the last 6 occasions. The defending champions should have Kieran Read back in the fold, but I think he's past his best and won't make the impact that some would have you believe. I'm leaning towards a home win. Hurricanes by 4

Waratahs v Sunwolves

If the Tahs can beat the Crusaders, they should be able to dispatch the Sunwolves, who were well beaten by the Lions last weekend. Israel Folau is the obvious captaincy pick in the Super Rugby Fantasy game too. Waratahs by 28

Blues v Stormers

That's two consecutive wins for the Blues now, after they broke their losing streak against the Highlanders last weekend. The Stormers put up a decent fight in Wellington, with the Hurricanes relying on a late score to win by 6 points, and they have a good record against the Blues, winning 7 of the last 8 matches against them. I'm backing a home win this time though. Blues by 6

Reds v Rebels

The Reds thrashed the Brumbies last weekend, picked by just 25% of people on Superbru, and suddenly their streak shows two wins in a row, compared to the Rebels' two defeats in a row. Add in the fact that the Rebels have been halfway around the world and back, and another home win could be the safest pick. But presumably the likes of Will Genia and Isi Naisarani will be restored to the Rebels' lineup, and I think they have a better side. Rebels by 7

Sharks v Bulls

The Bulls were well-backed at home to the Chiefs last weekend, but ended up on the wrong side of a drubbing, but they'll be encouraged by their record against the Sharks - they have not lost to the Durban outfit since 2014, and don't forget that the SA teams play each other twice per season. The score in this match last year was Sharks 10-40 Bulls, and the Bulls won by 23 in Pretoria just 3 weeks ago. I seem to be talking myself into backing the Bulls, but I'm still going my gut for a home win. Sharks by 2

Jaguares v Chiefs

Shifting Damian McKenzie to full-back seems to have turned the Chiefs' fortunes around, and putting 50 past the Bulls at Loftus is no mean feat. The travel factor needs to be considered, particularly given the Jaguares had a bye in Round 6, but on recent evidence, the Chiefs are a better side. Chiefs by 8

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