Superbru 6: Blues head to Wellington, URC Wooden Spoon clash in Parma
The Six Nations takes another break before returning for the last two rounds, but there’s a good lineup of Super Rugby Pacific and United Rugby Championship fixtures to look forward to.
Here are my Superbru 6 predictions for the matches I have picked out:
This is a huge clash in the battle for the URC Wooden Spoon. The Dragons are currently adrift at the bottom of the table, whilst Zebre have a chance of recording three consecutive victories for the first time ever. What a time to be alive. I’m backing the home side to edge it and compound the Welsh misery. Prediction: Zebre by 7
I’m fairly confident in picking a home win here, which is possibly a reaction to the Brumbies losing at home to the Force last weekend. The Chiefs have beaten both the Blues and Crusaders already this season, and they thrashed the Brumbies in this fixture last year. Prediction: Chiefs by 13
Hurricanes v Blues - Super Rugby Pacific
This is a tough one that could go either way. The Blues have lost both their fixtures so far, despite being the pre-tournament favourites and another defeat here could spell trouble. The Canes were one of only two sides to beat the Blues last season, and with home advantage, some people will make them favourites. I’m going against the grain however, and still have faith that the Blues are better than they’ve played so far. Prediction: Blues by 2
Lions v Sharks- United Rugby Championship
This is a tough pick and I’ll be checking the lineups carefully, but the Sharks’ form is hard to ignore with 6 wins in their last 7, compared to the Lions with 1 win in their last 6. A win here and the Sharks will be contenders for a top two finish in the league. Prediction: Sharks by 2
Bulls v Stormers - United Rugby Championship
The Stormers’ away form is dreadful, so it makes this SA derby fairly easy to pick. The Sharks won at Loftus a fortnight ago, but the Bulls responded with a comfortable win over the Lions and I suspect this one will be another home win. Prediction: Bulls by 8
Connacht v Benetton - United Rugby Championship
Both Italian teams featuring in the Superbru 6 picks? Perhaps another sign that they are improving, and I’ve chosen this one because it’s an important clash in the race for the Top 8. Connacht Rugby had been languishing in the lower echelons of the table, but a win over Cardiff in the last round moved them up to 11th and another home win here could see them straight back into the Top 8. With Benetton more heavily-impacted by international absences, I’m picking another home win Prediction: Connacht by 4
Which ones do you disagree with? Are there other notable games you would have picked out?
Here are my Superbru 6 predictions for the matches I have picked out:
Friday
Zebre v Dragons - United Rugby ChampionshipThis is a huge clash in the battle for the URC Wooden Spoon. The Dragons are currently adrift at the bottom of the table, whilst Zebre have a chance of recording three consecutive victories for the first time ever. What a time to be alive. I’m backing the home side to edge it and compound the Welsh misery. Prediction: Zebre by 7
Saturday
Chiefs v Brumbies - Super Rugby PacificI’m fairly confident in picking a home win here, which is possibly a reaction to the Brumbies losing at home to the Force last weekend. The Chiefs have beaten both the Blues and Crusaders already this season, and they thrashed the Brumbies in this fixture last year. Prediction: Chiefs by 13
Hurricanes v Blues - Super Rugby Pacific
This is a tough one that could go either way. The Blues have lost both their fixtures so far, despite being the pre-tournament favourites and another defeat here could spell trouble. The Canes were one of only two sides to beat the Blues last season, and with home advantage, some people will make them favourites. I’m going against the grain however, and still have faith that the Blues are better than they’ve played so far. Prediction: Blues by 2
Lions v Sharks- United Rugby Championship
This is a tough pick and I’ll be checking the lineups carefully, but the Sharks’ form is hard to ignore with 6 wins in their last 7, compared to the Lions with 1 win in their last 6. A win here and the Sharks will be contenders for a top two finish in the league. Prediction: Sharks by 2
Bulls v Stormers - United Rugby Championship
The Stormers’ away form is dreadful, so it makes this SA derby fairly easy to pick. The Sharks won at Loftus a fortnight ago, but the Bulls responded with a comfortable win over the Lions and I suspect this one will be another home win. Prediction: Bulls by 8
Connacht v Benetton - United Rugby Championship
Both Italian teams featuring in the Superbru 6 picks? Perhaps another sign that they are improving, and I’ve chosen this one because it’s an important clash in the race for the Top 8. Connacht Rugby had been languishing in the lower echelons of the table, but a win over Cardiff in the last round moved them up to 11th and another home win here could see them straight back into the Top 8. With Benetton more heavily-impacted by international absences, I’m picking another home win Prediction: Connacht by 4
Which ones do you disagree with? Are there other notable games you would have picked out?
Superbru on X
I think many underrate The Drua (could surprise in Sydney?), basically the Fijian national side. Plus playing in Napier meant many Hawke's Bay NPC fans were cheering on The Drua. The 'Canes have had injuries but I still back them versus a so far toothless *uckland attack. I've wasted fantasy picks on Telea & Clarke. Be just like them to come good though. Hurricanes by 3.