2012 Super Rugby Betting Preview - Week 2

March 2 - Welcome to Round 2 of the 2012 Super rugby tournament. Teams were for the most part feeling each other out in Round 1 and the refs pretty much took centre stage with a penalty fest. The directive is obviously there from SANZAR to clamp down on infringement at the breakdown by the defending team and we can only hope that the players will adapt and the refs will tone it down.

It was a reasonable start to the tournament for the South African teams. The Bulls showed that there is life in Pretoria but the big disappointment for me was the Sharks who look to have brought all their regular failings into 2012.

Here is our take on Round 2, including match predictions and betting tips.

Ryan's tipping success ratio this season: 43% (3/7)

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 2 March: Chiefs (1.8) v Blues (.5) - Hamilton

The Blues start as a 5.5 point favourite away from home. The Chiefs looked good in the first half last week but they have lost a load of players to injury and struggled to cope when the Highlanders turned up the pace. The Blues will play an up-tempo game which will be hard for the Chiefs to keep up with.

Despite their loss to the Crusaders in round 1, I still think the Blues can go all the way. They just need to grow a little bit more brain. His name is Piri Weepu and he sits on the bench because he has eaten too many pies in the off season.

Margin Tip: Blues by 11-15 at 5/1

Prediction: Blues to take it comfortably.

Friday, 2 March: Rebels (2.5) v Waratahs (.36), Melbourne

Melbourne fans are understandably excited about their Rebels team with the acquisition of Beale and O'Connor and with good reason. These are tow of the most exciting backs in the world. Problem is, someone needs to get them the ball and if the pre-season is anything to go by, the Rebels pack will again struggle.

The bookies have the Tahs as a 7 point favourite which is kind to the Rebels. The Sydney team will be filthy after losing to the Reds in the last move of the game (just rewards for subbing off their South African scrumhalf who was the best player on the park).

The Waratah forward will hand the Rebels a hiding of note.

Margin Tip: Waratahs by 11-15 at 9/2

Prediction: Waratahs to belt them by more than 10 

Friday, 2 March: Lions (.65) v Hurricanes (1.4), Johannesburg

The Lions will be more relieved than anything else after starting their season on a winning note. Elton Jantjes started where he left off in 2011, kicking a record nine penalty goals. The Hurricanes lost to the Stormers because of ill discipline and any indiscretions within 55m will cost them, which is exactly why we tip the Lions. The Jozi team will look to keep things tight again and we don't expect any of the helter skelter they played in the Currie Cup last year and the Canes will possibly score more tries but it won't matter.

Margin Tip: Lions by 1-5 at 3/1

Prediction: Lions by less than a try

Saturday, 3 March: Highlanders (+6) v Crusaders (-6), Dunedin

The Highlanders looked like the early season team of 2011 in their away win against the Chiefs.

Here I think the bookies are getting it way wrong. They are a team that shows composure under pressure and with a reasonably fit squad they will cause the upset of the weekend.

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

Prediction: Highlanders by a whisker

Saturday, 3 March: Reds (.16) v Force (5), Brisbane

Not much to discuss. Reigning champions against a team still trying to find its feet after five years in the comp. The Force had nothing against the Brumbies. They are in for a belting.

Margin Tip: Reds by 11-15 at 4/1

Prediction: Reds by 10 or more

Saturday, 3 March: Cheetahs (1.3) v Bulls (.72), Bloemfontein

The Bulls had a comfortable familiarity about them in their relatively easy win over the Sharks. Neutrals will criticise them for not scoring tries but the Bulls fans don't care. The key matchup will be between Morne Steyn and Johan Goosen, who people are already calling the next Bok flyhalf. Steyn will rain on that parade with the Bulls pack laying the foundation for a close fought win.

Margin Tip: Bulls by 1-5 at 3/1

Prediction: Bulls by one score

Saturday, 3 March: Stormers (.55) v Sharks (1.77), Cape Town

The bookies are only giving the Sharks for points and the Stormers will easily cover that. Whilst I don't buy Stormers hype after last weekend's seemingly easy win, they will not be tested by the Sharks who field what looks like their weakest pack on paper in years. Injuries have been unkind to the Durban team already, but of more concern is the fact that they look as disorganised as they have over the last number of years. I'll say it again. How Plumtree keeps his job is beyond me.

Look our for young Stormers lock Eben Etzebeth. A mountain of a man. It might be too early but eh looks like Bakkies with a brain!

Margin Tip: Stormers by 6-10 at 6/1

Prediction: Stormers by 9

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