Posted on 3/12/2008 9:46:53 PM

Rugby Super 14 Betting - Crusaders Crushing Competition

By Tim Furious

For all you rugby fanatics that feel that BetUS.com doesn’t offer coverage of sports not based out of North America, we are here at the Locker Room are here to provide you with the Super 14 coverage you’ve been looking for! Currently locked in Week 5, the Crusaders are the team to beat, while the defending champions the Stormers have proven that their title last year was no fluke. Let’s run down what you need to know for sports betting purposes in regards to the Rugby Super 14 in our sportsbook.

First off, as far as rugby goes with BetUS.com, just as in football or basketball, you are betting on a spread, or on the moneyline. So if you’re feeling particularly frisky about a certain team, then the moneyline is the solid guarantee for you. But if you need the points, then you need to stick with the handicap.

The Super 14 Series is a fourteen-week round robin that pits the best national teams against one another. The teams originate out of the rugby power houses of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. It’s a prestigious event that has a massive draw on a national level because it pits a wide breadth of the nations’ best players against each other. There are three games per day to bet on, so if parlays are going to be your best payout.

Now let’s break down the teams to beat on, and the betting underdogs to keep your eye on.

So far, the Crusaders remain the team to beat. With Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, one of the best flankers stalking the pitch, leading the charge, this team is undoubtedly the king of the hill so far. But the real reason to back the Crusaders in our sportsbook is because of Robby Deans, perhaps the most renowned and respected coach in all of rugby. The Crusaders boast the most number of active All-Blacks, which is a reason they’re such a heavy favorite to win the Super 14 this year.

Brendon Leonard leads the defending champion Stormers in to action this weekend as they take on the Chiefs this weekend. They notched their first win of the tournament by obliterating the hapless Reds, who continue to struggle with injuries. Sitiveni Sivivatu on the wing and Sosene Anesi are a formidable wing-fullback combination and can do a lot of damage, while tightening the drum defensively. The Stormers have a long way to go as they currently rank 10th in the tournament. After getting murdered by the Crusaders 22-0, the Stormers desperately need Anesi back to shore up their tactical kicking game, while their pack does an excellent job of controlling the pace of the game with forward ball strategy.

The Crusaders, however, are not the only undefeated team in the fixtures. The Sharks are also 4-0. The South African betting community will be glued to the Sharks vs. Lions tilt this weekend. The Lions shouldn’t give the Sharks too much trouble as they rank 12th on the table. The Sharks are a dangerous team, and have devoured the Sharks in recent history, pushing only one match to a draw and winning the other five by an average margin of 17 points.

Two underdogs to keep your eyes on are the Hurricanes and Bulls. The Hurricanes had done well when this was a Super 12 Tournament, but the extra two weeks seemed to wear out the big, brutish roster. Something hasn’t been clicking right for the Hurricanes, but they are starting to turn the tables around for themselves. The player to watch is Ma-a Nonu, the powerful winger who is an excellent and lethal try scorer, despite his low ball retention after contact. Positive consistency from Nonu is key.

For my money, the Blues are the team to keep your eye on. If you’re talking about dangerous wingers, then Joe Rokococo is as dangerous as they come. He possesses a mean side step and is a defensive nightmare for the opposing backs. Rock never misses a tackle. Troy Flabell, the captain and starting lock, is a massive bloke with great field vision and is absolutely impossible to bring down. If you ever wanted to see what a rhino would look like playing rugby, keep your eyes and betting hopes on Flabell and the Blues.

As this weekend approaches, BetUS.com has odds and lines for all the Super 14 Rugby games, as well as for the 6 Rugby Nations and Rugby League games. In the meantime, do your research, and let’s all pray for the anticipated return of Jason Habana, the blindside winger whose youtube.com clips are making the rounds.

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