In this blog we take a look back at how we fared in the final round of regular season action and then look ahead to the Qualifying Finals with the latest outright betting, the early handicaps, weather updates and a bet in each game.
CRUSADERS VS BLUES
Posted 12 June 23h26
This handicap has been pretty stable at Crusaders -6.5 all week.
The points line has come down from 51.5 to 48.5 as there is rain all day and although it might stop before the game the old conditions should mean a wet game.
If pushed I would be on the unders and I am also leaning Blues to possibly cause an upset.
I am not strong on anything though and will settle on one of my favourite bets in New Zealand derbies "either team to win by 7 or less incl. draw"
BET: 2 units "either team to win by 7 or less incl. draw" at 1.43/1 at Betxchange
MONEY FOR THE CHIEFS
Posted 12 June 16h22
The Chiefs are -13.5 from -10.5 and we have points lines
Crusaders -6.5 v Blues, Points 48.5
Chiefs -13.5 v Brumbies, Points 52.5
BETTING UPDATE
Posted 11 June 07h24
The markets are stable and I have not seen any points lines although they should be out soon
Crusaders -6.5 v Blues
Chiefs -10.5 v Brumbies
WEATHER LINKS AND FORECAST FOR THE SEMI'S
Crusaders vs Blues
Kickoff: Friday 09:05 SAST
Venue: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
• Weather Forecast: Cold around 8 degrees, rain forecast from the afternoon onwards
• Humidity: High 80's
• Forecast sourced at 07h14 on 11 June from timeanddate
Chiefs vs Brumbies
Kickoff: Saturday 09:05 SAST
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
• Weather Forecast: Cold around 8 degrees, storms and rain in the afternoon/evening at this stage stopping before the game
• Humidity: High 80's
• Forecast sourced at 09h17 on 11 June from timeanddate
SEMI-FINAL TEAMS ARE OUT
Posted 11 June 07h12
The teams have been announced, keep an eye on the media for any late changes
Crusaders v Blues
FRI 13 JUNE – Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Kickoff: 09:05 SAST
CRUSADERS (1–15):
1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Antonio Shalfoon, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Rivez Reihana, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. David Havili (c), 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Will Jordan
Replacements: 16. George Bell, 17. Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 18. Seb Calder, 19. Jamie Hannah, 20. Cullen Grace, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. James O'Connor, 23. Dallas McLeod
BLUES (1–15):
1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Laghlan McWhannell, 6. Adrian Choat, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. AJ Lam, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Tele'a, 15. Zarn Sullivan
Replacements: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Jordan Lay, 18. Angus Ta'avao, 19. Josh Beehre, 20. Anton Segner, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Cole Forbes
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Richard Kelly
Chiefs v ACT Brumbies
SAT 14 JUNE – FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Kickoff: 09:05 SAST
CHIEFS (1–15):
1. Ollie Norris, 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3. George Dyer, 4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Luke Jacobson (c), 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson
Replacements: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Jared Proffit, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Jimmy Tupou, 20. Kalyum Boshier, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Gideon Wrampling
BRUMBIES (1–15):
1. James Slipper, 2. Billy Pollard, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Nick Frost, 5. Tom Hooper, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Rory Scott, 8. Tuaina Taii Tualima, 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Corey Toole, 12. David Feliuai, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Wright
Replacements: 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. Lington Ieli, 18. Feao Fotuaika, 19. Lachlan Shaw, 20. Luke Reimer, 21. Harrison Goddard, 22. Declan Meredith, 23. Ollie Sapsford
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Jordan Way
TMO: Brett Cronan
SRP SEMI-FINALS HANDICAPS
Posted 08 June 22h19
The bookies were too quick for me this week and I saw their caps before I got a chance to do mine
Crusaders -6.5 v Blues
Chiefs -10.5 v Brumbies
QUALIFYING FINALS REVIEW
Posted 08 June 22h17
The blog went 2/3 this weekend and my only regret was getting involved in the Brumbies v Hurricanes game after the Chiefs lost as I was serioulsy considering sitting that one out
What a win it was by the Blues coming from 13 points down in the last 15 minutes
Here are the results and blog picks
Crusaders 32 Reds 12, handicap started Crusaders -13.5 BLOG PICK Reds under 19.5 points a comfortable winner
Chiefs 19 Blues 20, handicap started Chiefs -8.5 BLOG PICK under 53.5 points never in doubt
Brumbies 35 v Hurricanes 28, handicap started Brumbies -2.5 BLOG PICK under 53.5 points always in trouble
Here is the latest outright betting at Betxchange
Chiefs 21/20
Crusaders 7/4
Blues 97/20
Brumbies 19/2
