2012 Super Rugby Betting Preview - Week 3

March 9 - Welcome to our Round 3 preview of the 2012 Super Rugby tournament. The young Bulls keep marching on, the Stormers seems to have forgotten how to score tries and the hype surrounding the Lions has been somewhat dampened.

The Bulls will look to put away a dangerous Blues side coming off two losses and the Sharks need to score their first win on 2012.

Here is our take on Round 3, including match predictions and betting tips.

Ryan's tipping success ratio this season: 64% (9/14)

All odds provided by Sportsbet.co.za - Get a R100 free bet. Win tickets to the Newlands game between the Stormers and Waratahs. Read the Sportsbet Review to learn how.

Friday 9 March: Crusaders (0.5) v Chiefs (1.9) - Napier

These Kiwi derbies have been hard to call this year. The Chiefs were shocking in Round 1, but came out in Round 2 and belted the fancied Blues outfit. The Crusaders came close to a good Highlanders team away from home, and should build on their form against an often erratic Chiefs team that struggles to find consistency.

Margin Tip: Crusaders by 6-10 at 3/1

Prediction: Crusaders by seven

Friday, 9 March: Force (0.95) v Hurricanes (1.0), Perth

The most boring and uninventive team in the comp must be the Force who should be better all round at home in Perth, but they come up against a Hurricanes team on a high. The Canes were tipped to be reasonably poor this year but they have played enterprising rugby.

The bookies are giving the Hurricanes a 5.5 point head start at 1.6 which looks like good value because the young Canes back line will score a few tries.

Margin Tip: Hurricanes by 6-10 at 9/2

Prediction: Canes by more than 7

Saturday, 10 March: Brumbies (.28) v Cheetahs (3.0), Canberra

The Cheetahs were woeful against the Bulls. Last year they got beaten well at home but then travelled to Australia to beat the Waratahs and will hope to repeat those efforts against the Brumbies. We think they will and tip the upset. The Brumbies forwards looked less than convincing in Round 1.

Margin Tip: Cheetahs by 1-5 at 5/1

Prediction: Cheetahs by less than a try

Saturday, 10 March: Highlanders (.7) v Waratahs (1.3), Dunedin

We just like the way the Highlanders play. It's like Bulls rugby on steroids at the moment. No team can live with them at the breakdown at present and although the Tahs have a strong pack, the combination of great collision work and speed out wide will be too much for the Sydneysiders. The Waratahs will compete well but the form book goes against them.

Margin Tip: Highlanders by 1-5 at 5/1

Prediction: Highlanders by a whisker

Saturday, 10 March: Reds (.14) v Rebels (5.5), Brisbane

The Rebels looked pretty good at times against the Tahs last week but that was at home and not in the house of the defending champions. The Reds are playing like a champion team and even with the debut of Kurtley Beale in Rebels colors, will smash their Melbourne rivals good and proper.

Margin Tip: Reds by 16-20 at 7/2

Prediction: Reds by 15 or more

Saturday, 10 March: Sharks (.25) v Lions (3.5), Durban

The Lions wrestled defeat from the jaws of victory last week against the hurricanes but they come up against a Sharks team that absolutely have to win at home and should, especially with the return of Willem Alberts in the pack. It won't be pretty though.

Margin Tip: Sharks by 6-10 at 3/1

Prediction: Sharks by one 7+

Saturday, 10 March: Bulls (.4) v Blues(2.2), Pretoria

The Blues are at their most dangerous when they throw caution to the wins and after two losses in a row they know that they won't travel to Loftus and win an arm wrestle. Before the competition most Bulls fans would have picked this game as a possible home loss but they have every reason to feel confident. The Blues are sure to run in a few spectacular tries but the Bulls pack should lay the foundation for a tight victory.

Margin Tip: Bulls by 1-5 at 7/2

Prediction: Bulls by 3

All odds provided by Sportsbet.co.za - Get a R100 free bet. Win tickets to the Newlands game between the Stormers and Waratahs. Read the Sportsbet Review to learn how.

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