Super Rugby Aotearoa Round 7 Preview

We enjoyed another couple of exciting games in the Super Rugby Aotearoa last weekend and the action presses on in Round 7!

The Highlanders have the bye this week, which means that the action is underway in Christchurch on Saturday evening when the Crusaders host a resurgent Hurricanes outfit.

Sunday’s action takes us back to Auckland and the Blues are offered an excellent opportunity to bounce back into the winner’s stall, at the expense of the last-placed Chiefs.

This shapes as a truly outstanding contest between some of New Zealand’s heavyweights.

The Crusaders have once again been the benchmark of (world) club rugby and enter Round 7 on top of the table with eighteen points.

Their Round 5 win over the Blues was a typically tough performance and they will be refreshed and ready to go after a week off.

The Hurricanes meanwhile were slow from the blocks, but have stormed back into contention off the back of three-consecutive wins.

A late try saw them into a two-point win over the Blues and with that result, they also moved within a point of that opponent in overall standings.

It’s virtually impossible to tip against the Crusaders, but I think that the ‘Canes are good enough to finish within 10.5 points.

Back the Hurricanes to Cover the Line (+10.5)

Eden Park will be the scene of Sunday’s clash between the Blues and the Chiefs and perhaps unsurprisingly, the home side are clear favourites to win.

The Blues suffered just their second loss of the campaign at the hands of the Hurricanes in Round 6, but they really could not be offered a better opportunity to bounce back and ultimately, keep the pressure on the Crusaders.

The Chiefs have barely fired a shot in Super Rugby Aotearoa, having lost all five of their games and securing just four bonus points in the process.

They went close to defeating the Highlanders last weekend, but evidently didn’t, and this shapes as a far tougher task for them.

Back the Blues to Cover the Line (-7.5)