Super Rugby Week 3 Betting Tips: Chiefs to Continue Winning Form?
The tries have flowed in the opening two rounds of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific and more of the same is forecast for the upcoming weekend.
Last season's beaten finalists, the Chiefs, lead the standings after wins over Kiwi rivals the Blues and the Crusaders. They host the Brumbies on Saturday, the same day surprise package Western Force hosts the Reds.
Moana Pasifika could get off the mark on Friday, with them 41/20 to take out the Highlanders, while the Waratahs are expected to have too much for the winless Drua.
The other matches on Saturday could also be blockbuster, with the Hurricanes at home to the Blues and Australian rivals the Force and the Reds meeting out west.
Tip 1 - The Chiefs to win by 11-20 points against the Brumbies @ 13/5
Last season's beaten finalists look like a team with a point to prove and Clayton McMillan's side should make it three from three against the Brumbies.
They followed their opening 25-14 win over the Blues with a 49-24 success against the Crusaders and now face the Brumbies, who beat the Drua 36-32 in round one but went down 45-42 at home to Western Force on Saturday.
Defence is clearly an issue for the ACT outfit and Stephen Larkham will know his team need to be better when they head to Hamilton.
The Chiefs have won the last three meetings, recording a 46-12 success in the last renewal, their record win over the Brumbies.
That margin may be difficult to repeat, but there is a lot to like about the Chiefs and they can grab an 18th win from their last 20 outings at Waikato Stadium.
Tip 2 - The Blues to win by 1-12 points against the Hurricanes @ 37/20
The defending champions are yet to pick up a point in 2025, but the Blues can get their season going in Wellington.
They have won seven of their last 10 meetings with the Hurricanes, but recent encounters have hardly been one-sided, with five of the last six played at the 'Cake Tin' separated by fewer than 10 points.
Defeats to the Chiefs (25-14) and the Highlanders (29-21) were hardly inspiring from Vern Cotter's team, while the 'Canes responded to their 33-25 opening defeat to the Crusaders by beating the Drua 38-34.
The Blues are just 12/25 to win in the capital and while they could be worth following on the handicap, 5/6 feels a bit skinny for -4.5.
Margin betting might be the answer, with an away win by 1-12 points the selection.
Tip 3 - Western Force to beat Queensland Reds @ 41/20
There was uncertainty over how Western Force would fare after a squad overhaul following last year's 10th-placed finish, but they have made an excellent start to the new season, winning both matches and scoring more points than any other team. Simon Cron's side next faces the Reds. They had a bye in week one and debuted for 2025 with a brilliant 56-36 win over Moana Pasifika.
The Queenslanders have won seven of the pair's last nine meetings, including a 59-13 success last season on their way to fifth and crashing out in the quarter-finals.
However, the Force usually build their campaigns on home form and have won five of their last six regular season outings in Perth and their ability to pile up points gives them a chance to beat anyone.
Home winger Dylan Pietsch already has three tries from his team's first two games and the price on them to win is too good to ignore, although the 5/6 with a +8.5 handicap may provide a safety net for those who like to bet on the spread.
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation