2010 Rugby Super 14 Betting Preview - Semi FInals

May 21 - If all goes well, a Bulls vs Stormers final in Soweto could become a reality. Imagine ten years ago someone would have told you that the Bulls will be playing important rugby games in Soweto? You would have pointed them to Weskoppies. Well it's here and it's wonderful.

Welcome to semi-finals Super 14 rugby. 

All odds provided by Greatodds.com - locally owned and locally operated. The best SA bookie by a mile. Get a R1500 free first bet when you join. Have you tried their live in-play betting yet?

Bulls (-6) v Crusaders(+6), Soweto, Saturday 17:05

If I ate a Marie biscuit for every time I read about how terribly the Crusaders were done in at Loftus two weeks ago, I'd be a fat bastard. If I ate another one for every time I had to look at Richie McCaw's sulky face, they'd donate my body to science and I'd make the Guinness Records for being the fattest bastard ever.

The Crusaders are filthy, and that's not good, because for the first time in three years they are starting to look like the team we all feared so much for so bloody long. The scary thing is that they are playing good rugby with Dan Carter still in average form. There are very few weaknesses in this team.

The Bulls had some rest and whether it was a good or bad thing remains to be seen. They are making light of the fact that they've had to leave their beloved Loftus. As a Dutchman myself I know how much Loftus means to the psyche and it cannot be ignored. The Volk just doesn't travel well.

The key for the Bulls will be to give the Crusaders no momentum early on and not to allow them a lead. The Kiwi's should fade in the last twenty with all the travel. The outside channels have been a big problem for the Bulls defensively and if they can plug the holes, kick well to the corners and dominate the contact situation, they will win.

I have been up and down this week. For most of it I felt the Crusaders have the Bulls' number, but as the week has worn on (it's been so slow), I have increased in confidence and back the Bulls by a whisker because they will be able to hang on to a lead late in the game.

Bulls by 3. (Please!).

Stormers (-7) v Waratahs(+7), Cape Town, Saturday 19:10

Now I like to take the piss out of the Waratahs as much as the next guy, but after the last week's display against the Hurricanes, the Waratahs have proven that they have the ability to front up and play a domineering game. The back 3 is a potent unit, their forwards are very competitive, and they follow their dogged leader Phil Waugh who sets the example by losing more blood in a game than is spilt at an average sized abattoir in a day.

When they put attack and defense together in one game the Stormers have looked unbeatable. Bekker is just bloody awesome, Burger is playing better rugby than he ever has, and the back line looks polished.

The Waratahs problem will be the loss of Robinson in the scrums and the fact that the lineout, which is so important to their game, could struggle. For the Stormers, the problem is just who is going to turn up. Unfortunately their fans can't be 100% convinced that they have shaken their Jekyll and Hyde tendencies.

We back the Stormers though. At home with the crowd behind them, they will get up by seven points after a big scare early on.

Ryan's season record: 63/91 = 69%

Visit Greatodds.com to bet now. Get a R1500 free bet offer.

Tell A Friend