2023 Super Rugby Round 4 Preview

We’ve got another busy weekend of Trans-Tasman action in the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific competition with six games over three days.

It all kicks off on Friday with the Hurricanes hosting the Waratahs in Wellington before Saturday’s triple header is headlined by the battle between the Blues and Crusaders.

Sunday provides us with a pair of fascinating games as the Highlanders chase their first win of the new season when they host the Force.

Read on for our previews and best bets for every Super Rugby Pacific game!

It has been a less than ideal start to the season for the Waratahs, with an expected big win over the Drua bookended by frustratingly close defeats against the Brumbies and Rebels.

There were plenty of reasons for concern in that loss to the Rebels and you have to wonder if they will be able to sort it out in time for their trip to Wellington.

Scoring has not been an issue for the Canes this season against Australian sides, putting up 86 points in wins over the Reds and Rebels and they should be able to outscore the Tahs here.

It’s a big line to ask them to cover but they have had no problems punishing opposing teams mistakes and they did manage to push a very strong Blues team last week.

I’m expecting them to get the job done at home in a high scoring game and Ardie Savea to come back from suspension with a try for good measure.

SGM: Hurricanes to Cover -15.5, Over 53.5 Poitns, Ardie Savea Anytime Try Scorer @ $8.62

The Chiefs are out to extend their perfect start to the season when they host the Rebels and it’s easy to see why they are such heavy favourites.

While there is no shortage of positives to take from their fast start, the most impressive note is that they have won all of their games by at least 21 points and that includes a Round 1 belting of the Crusaders.

Even though the Rebels are coming off their first win of the season against a tough Waratahs side, right now you have to back the hosts to come out and take care of business at home.

There is a pretty hefty gap between these teams and the final scoreboard should reflect that.

Back the Chiefs to Cover -24.5 @ $2.50

No doubting that this is the marquee matchup of the weekend with the suddenly reeling Crusaders desperate for a win to level out their record.

It was a fantastic moment in Fiji last week for the Drua but for the Crusaders they were left stunned as they suffered their second defeat of the season, and it does not get any easier here.

One minor mark against the Blues ascension to the elite of New Zealand rugby over the last few seasons is the fact they have struggled against the Crusaders.

Their lone win came in the 2022 regular season in Christchurch, but the Crusaders got the better of them in the Super Rugby Grand Final a few months later.

While the Crusaders have not been themselves in 2023, they have earned the benefit of the doubt and are worth a shot as underdogs.

Back the Crusaders to Win @ $2.00

Moana Pasifika will be very pleased to be heading to Canberra in March rather than May with much more palatable conditions for their brand of rugby.

Despite going 0-3 thus far they have picked up two bonus points and scored plenty of phenomenal tries already this season and they cause some problems for the Brumbies.

Stephen Larkham’s side have enjoyed a perfect start, winning a trio of close games over the Waratahs, Blues and Reds by a combined margin of 17 points.

However they will need to score some points to keep the Pasifika side at bay because we know they will attack at all costs regardless of the final score.

When you play unstructured rugby however, it does result in mistakes and the good teams have the ability to punish those mistakes.

While it might be close at halftime, the Brumbies should find a way to kick on in the second half and record their biggest win of the season.

Back the Brumbies to Cover -18.5 @ $1.91

It looks like a pretty simple approach for both of these teams heading into their Round 4 clash.

The Force are a good team at home and will struggle on the road, while the Highlanders are just going to struggle wherever they play.

Last season the Highlanders belted the living daylights out of the Force 61-10 but this has the makings of a much tighter game considering the home side’s performances thus far.

We won’t see much champagne rugby but we might just be treated to a close finish.

Back the Western Force to Cover +15.5 @ $1.91

Remarkably, the Drua will head into this game with a better record than the Reds and the visitor’s confidence will be sky high after knocking off the Crusaders.

However the Reds gave the Brumbies all they could handle last week and the return to health of James O’Connor does significantly improve their prospects going forward.

Last season the Drua gave the Reds all they could handle at Suncorp in a 33-28 win for the Queenslanders and this one should be no different, at least early on.

However what is a bit concerning is the letdown potential for the Drua coming off their biggest win ever and their second half fade out against the Waratahs a week prior to that.

It should be close early on before the Reds find a way to run away with it.

Back the Reds to Win by 13+ @ $1.95