2015

The final regular season round of the 2015 Super Rugby competition will determine which six franchises will enter the finals; with all but one position still well and truly up for grabs.

The Lions drew with South African conference leaders the Stormers last weekend and are the only franchise with a bye in Round 18.

We’re offering the best odds on all seven games in Round 18 of the 2015 Super Rugby competition!

Blues vs Highlanders

The Highlanders suffered a demoralising defeat and reality check when allowing the Hurricanes to post 56 points last weekend, but are offered the best possible chance of a return to winning form and securing a wildcard finals berth against the Blues on Friday evening Australian time. Undoubtedly producing one of their best seasons since the turn of the century, the Highlanders are tied on 48 competition points with the Chiefs and need to win if any chance. The Blues have produced some competitive rugby in pockets since the middle of the season but appeared to revert back to their early season form when comfortably beaten at home by the Crusaders in Week 17. The Highlanders should have no issue winning and are also very capable of securing a bonus point.

Rebels vs Force

Both the Rebels and Force entered the 2015 Super Rugby season with high hopes, however only the former has been able to make anything of a competitive run of form despite also being well out of finals contention. Having posted a nervous one point win over the Bulls last weekend, the Rebels enter this match with the lowly Force third in the Australian conference and ninth in overall standings while the Force, having suffered another comfortably defeat in Round 17, sit last overall. The Rebels should have no issue posting another win in this match and end what has been their best season on record on a positive note.

Brumbies vs Crusaders

The Brumbies ensured the Australian conference would go down to the wire when seeing off the Force in Perth last weekend, but undoubtedly face a far-greater task in finishing the job against a somewhat resurgent Crusaders team this weekend. Boasting the competition’s third best for and against, the Brumbies have to win and secure a bonus point if they are to leap-frog the Waratahs and win the conference, who only have to beat the Reds at home. The Brumbies are more than capable of winning but in current form, we’re backing the Crusaders to post another win away from home and deliver on $2.38 odds.

Chiefs vs Hurricanes

In what undoubtedly figures as the standout fixture of the final regular season round of Super Rugby, the Chiefs lock horns with the Hurricanes in a top of the New Zealand conference battle on Saturday evening Australian time. The Chiefs posted a comfortable win over the Reds to return to second overall while the Hurricanes asserted their dominance over an in-form Highlanders. Should the Chiefs win they will be assured the first wildcard berth into the finals, but are probably assured a berth anyway. The Hurricanes will probably be too good and offer incredible value for money as $2.50 outsiders.

Waratahs vs Reds

Arguably the fiercest rivalry in the Australian conference, the Waratahs will be looking to sew-up top spot with success over the out-of-form Reds at home on Saturday night. The Tahs definitely took a few rounds to hit form in their title defence but have contested a reasonably strong campaign and look more than capable of matching it post-season. The Reds on the other hand have been nothing short of awful, but will surely lift against the old enemy, particularly in farewelling club legends James Horwill and Will Genia. The Waratahs don’t offer a great deal of value in head-to-head markets but should figure as a fold in any Super Rugby multibet this week.

Bulls vs Cheetahs

Sunday morning’s match between the Bulls and Cheetahs has every chance of figuring as the most one-sided meeting in Round 18, despite the fact neither team is playing for anything more than pride. The Bulls have been pretty hit-and-miss for their standards this campaign but are undoubtedly the class team of this fixture; the Cheetahs towelled-up by their opponents almost weekly.

Sharks vs Stormers

The final regular season match of the 2015 Super Rugby season will peg the Sharks and Stormers against one another in Durban early Sunday morning Australian time. The Sharks have largely gone missing this season and at one stage, looked in serious danger of finishing last in the South African conference, while the Stormers have comfortably maintained position atop the conference most of the season. Having drawn with the Lions last weekend, a win will the see the Stormers enter yet another post season campaign and they offer exceptional value to do just at as $2 outsiders.