THE MONEY MAN is putting R2,500 on the champions to win by five or more points in Invercargill.
Last week was a good one, with our banker paying big on the Lions to destroy the Kings. That resulted in a R5,000 gain and our winnings are now on R30,000 – a 20% profit.
I'm betting on seven of the eight matches in round 10 and will be giving in-running advice and placing bets during all the games, and posting tips on my Facebook page. You can also check out my SuperBru picks.
Chiefs vs Sharks
The bookies are predicting the Chiefs to win by 13 or more points and based on their performances this year, I see them running away with this game. It's very seldom that a South African team gets up twice in a row to beat a New Zealand team in New Zealand. A big victory is usually followed by a crushing defeat, case in point the Lions who beat the Chiefs only to suffer their worst defeat of the season against the Highlanders the following week. If the Chiefs keep all 15 players on the field for the entire game, they'll win by 20 or more points. I'm placing a R1,000 bet on the hosts to win by 13 or more points.
Force vs Bulls
On paper, the Bulls should beat the horrible Force, but I have a gut feeling the Force will upset the visitors. With the Bulls not winning in Australia in the last four years, you can see why I'm nervous to put money on them. For fun and knowing how easy it is to wind up Bulls fans, I'm placing a R500 bet to win back R900 plus my stake on the Force to claim an outright win in Perth.
Highlanders vs Brumbies
The Brumbies have been soundly beaten over the past few weeks and their schedule doesn't get any easier with this trip to Invercargill. Playing the champions and only getting a 4.5-point handicap makes this my banker for the weekend. The Highlanders should easily beat the Brumbies by five or more points and I'll be putting down R2,500 on them to do just that. This placing pays out R2,250 plus my stake back.
Blues vs Rebels
The Blues have again flattered to deceive and with the bookies making them 6.6-point favourites against a well-coached Rebels side, I'm not convinced they'll be able to cover this spread. In fact, I can see the Blues losing this match. I betting R1,000 to win R900 plus my stake back on the Rebels to not lose by seven or more.
Reds vs Cheetahs
This could be a high-scoring game, but I won't be offering any bet as it is too close to call with a five-point handicap. For those adamant about betting on every match, take the Reds to win by six.
Lions vs Hurricanes
This is the game of the weekend for me. The Lions are deserving of their six-two win-loss ratio and are favoured to win by three or more by the bookies. I think the Hurricanes will win what will be an entertaining clash and I'm backing them for an outright win with a R500 bet placing to win back R600. This game can potentially reach 60 to 70 combined points scored, which will be great value for in-running bets, so please keep an eye on my Facebook page for advice throughout.
Stormers vs Waratahs
With the exception of their game against the Sharks, the Stormers have looked good at home this season. They have improved a lot under coach Robbie Fleck and I reckon the hosts have the physicality to blow the Waratahs away. With R1,500 bet placing to win R1,350 and my stake, I'm backing the Stormers to win by seven or more against the Waratahs.
Jaguares vs Kings
Certainly the most disappointing team in the competition has to be the Jaguares with so many internationals and just one win. Last weekend's defeat to the Sunwolves could end up in a backlash for the Kings as there would no doubt have been some stern words from the Jaguares coaches this week. The bookies have the Jaguares to win by 20 or more points. I'm taking a R1,500 bet on the Kings to lose by 21 or more points. It only pays out R750, which should be relatively safe.
Accumulator
R250 will win you R4,982 but all seven bet placings have to win in order for you to collect the payout.
– 9/20 on the Chiefs to lead at half-time and full-time
– 5/10 on the Force to not lose by 10 or more points against the Bulls
– 9/10 on the Rebels to not lose by seven or more against the Blues
– 9/10 on the Highlanders to beat the Brumbies by at least five points
– 12/10 on an outright Chiefs win over the Sharks
– 9/10 on the Waratahs to lose by seven or more points against the Stormers
– 5/10 on the Jaguares to hammer the Kings by at least 21 points
Photo: Stefan Postles/Getty Images
