2023 Super Rugby Round 6 Preview

In a week where the off field contractual moves of Australian rugby (and the subsequent outrage from rugby league circles) stole the headlines, it is time to return to the on-field action ahead of Super Rugby Round 6.

Saturday’s triple header once again takes centre stage with the action getting underway in front of a packed house in Suva before the Chiefs take on the Blues, with the day wrapping up in Canberra as the Brumbies host the Waratahs.

We’ve got you covered with previews and best bets for all six games below so read on and see who we are backing.

After back to back home victories over the Force and Drua, the Highlanders will be eager to keep it rolling when they head up to Mt Smart Stadium.

While the level of competition might not be the highest, you can only beat what is in front of you and they have comfortably accounted for their last two opponents.

That has helped offset a rough start to the season where they were summarily beaten by the Blues, Crusaders and Chiefs while simultaneously generating some positive momentum.

Moana Pasifika’s rough start to the season has continued with the still winless franchise on the wrong end of some big scorelines already.

In their match last season, the Highlanders came away with a 20 point win and after a couple of confidence boosting wins, they should be able to take care of business here.

Back the Highlanders to Cover -16.5 @ $1.91

What was once the marquee trans-Tasman matchup is now shaping up as a comfortable third win in a row for the Crusaders.

Nobody is going to accuse the Reds of being a bad team, far from it, and they should find a way to be competitive given their tendency to play to the level of their opponents for better or worse.

However they just seem to make too many mistakes to be backing them with any confidence, especially against a side that will punish even the miniscule errors.

History is not on the Reds side either having lost every Super Rugby match against the Crusaders since that win in the 2011 Grand Final, a run of 11 games.

Most of those games have been decided by a double digit margin, including a 63-28 win for the Crusaders on their last visit to Suncorp.

It might be close for a while, but not at full time.

Back the Crusaders to Cover -10.5 @ $1.91

It’s rare to see the Drua as favourites against anyone not named Moana Pasifika but in front of what is likely to be a packed out stadium in Suva, they have earned that tag.

Especially after their stirring win over the Crusaders in their last match at home three weeks ago.

That crowd is going to be a factor in the game and it should be enough to get them over the line.

Even with the Rebels coming off a massive confidence boosting win over the Reds, it should go down to the wire and I’ll back the home side that has something to prove.

Back the Drua to Win @ $1.73

Only one team remains unbeaten in the entire Super Rugby Pacific competition and it’s the home side in this contest.

The market has the Chiefs as a slight favourite against a Blues side that will provide their toughest test so far.

Every question that has been asked of the Waikato based team has been answered, most recently with a 24-14 win against the Waratahs in Sydney.

In that game they had to repel a determined opponent at home before putting the result to bed four minutes from time with an insurance try.

The Blues have fallen at the hands of the Brumbies and Crusaders already this season and while there is no doubt they will be in the mix in June, they just haven’t quite clicked consistently yet.

If there is one contest to sit down and watch from start to finish, this is it and the Chiefs are going to be the play.

Back the Chiefs to Win @ $1.80

We’ve got a rematch of a Round 1 battle that went to the wire before the Brumbies prevailed with a 31-25 victory.

The last three games between these sides have been decided by a converted try or less and this one should be no different.

The Tahs will be carrying plenty of motivation into this one as they try to arrest a three game slide.

It has been a rough season for the boys from Sydney but if they are going to find a way to get motivated for any game, it will be this one.

They might not get over the line but they should find a way to keep it close and earn at least a bonus point.

Back the Waratahs to Cover +8.5 @ $1.91

Sometimes there is not a lot to say about a game so there is no need to try and overcomplicate the tip.

The Force have not won in New Zealand since their Super Rugby rebirth and it is almost certainly not going to come against a very strong Hurricanes team.

In their last outing the Canes put a 59-0 belting on Moana Pasifika and it seems very unlikely that they are going to want to show any mercy towards the Force here.

This line could and probably should be covered by halftime.

Back the Hurricanes to Cover -19.5 @ $1.83