2023 Super Rugby Round 8 Preview

The midseason byes provide us another light weekend of rugby in the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific competition.

However there is plenty to look forward to this Friday and Saturday as it kicks off with Moana Pasifika playing their first ever match in Samoa to start the round.

Then on Saturday afternoon in Waikato, it’s a top of the table clash between the Hurricanes and the Chiefs with the visitors looking to extend their perfect start to the season.

Read on for our best bets and game previews for Round 8 below.

All is not well with the Reds right now, with the side crumbling to a 26 point defeat at home to the Brumbies.

Defence remains their biggest concern as that was the third time in seven games they have conceded over 40 points.

On paper they should have no problems with Moana Pasifika given they have similar issues stopping opponents scoring, but the fact this game is in Samoa does swing the momentum in favour of the home side.

If there is one positive you can say about the Pasifika team, it’s that they can cause plenty of headaches for opponents, even if they can’t produce a full 80 minute performance.

However the market looks like it has massively overreacted to the Reds struggles considering they are still far & away a better team across the park & they did put 71 on the Force earlier this season.

It might not be a convincing win for the Reds, but with the line at less than a try, you have to give them the benefit of the doubt here, even if it’s the last time to do so this season.

Back the Reds to Cover -4.5 @ $1.91

It’s time to stop treating the Brumbies like a good Australian team, they might just be a good team full stop.

After weathering the figurative (& literal) storm in the first half against the Reds last week, they were ruthless in the second half, belting the Reds 31-7 in the second half alone.

That patience and maturity will serve them well against a Drua team that we know will have their spells but have struggled to sustain that intensity for a full game.

When the mistakes come, the Brumbies will be able to punish them and they should find a way to run away with a crucial victory.

Back the Brumbies to Cover -17.5 @ $1.83

Fresh off the bye, the unbeaten Chiefs will face another big test when they travel to Wellington to take on the Hurricanes.

The margins have been shrinking week on week and that first loss is coming in some way, shape or form, but it does not look like happening this week.

Each of the last three meetings between the sides have gone the way of the Chiefs but they have all been close with the biggest margin of victory being six points.

Expect a test-match level intensity for your lunchtime rugby viewing as the Chiefs defence is able to guide them to a seventh straight win.

Back the Chiefs to Win @ $1.80

On the plus side, one of these two struggling teams will find a way to pick up a much needed win, however only one will feel good about recording a victory here.

Tipped by many to take a big step forward in a World Cup year, the Waratahs have been arguably the competition’s most disappointing side with just one win over the Drua in Melbourne to their name.

Meanwhile the Force are at least having a decent go in the last few weeks, despite going 0-3 on their New Zealand tour, they did push the Hurricanes all the way in Round 6 before losing 45-42.

It was only two years ago that the Force recorded a win in Sydney, pipping the Tahs 20-16 and they should find a way to keep this one close as well.

After all, confidence amongst the Waratahs is not exactly high at the moment and the longer this game remains competitive, the better chance the Force have of springing an upset.

Back the Force to Cover +8.5 @ $1.91