Betting preview: Top 14 final and Super Rugby
Montpellier take on surprise finalists Castres in the Top 14’s showpiece event, while Super Rugby continues with Round 16.
Montpellier v Castres
History will be made should Montpellier claim the trophy on Saturday, winning their first ever French championship, and they go in as heavy favourites.
It has been a superb season for Vern Cotter’s men after finishing the campaign top of the table and thrashing Lyon in the semi-final. Although they were helped by their opponents having to go into the extra time against Toulon in the barrages, it was still a hugely impressive performance.
Cotter’s outfit are therefore 1/4 with various bookmakers, including bet365, William Hill and Betfred, to emerge victorious in the final and, on the basis of the year so far, it would be difficult to go against them.
As for Castres, they have done it the hard way. Inconsistency has plagued Christophe Urios’ men but they sneaked into the play-off places and showed plenty of resilience to overcome Toulouse and Racing 92.
Urios’ charges had to hang on against the Parisians in the last four and, having battled their way through the previous two matches, it may be a game too far. They do, however, have recent experience of winning the title. Unlike Montpellier, Castres have claimed four championships with their last coming in 2013, but they are unfancied at 16/5 with Unibet and 888sport to win the competition in 2018.
Blues v Rebels
It has been a woeful campaign for the Blues but they have an opportunity to regain a semblance of respectability against the Rebels. Despite their poor run of form, which has seen them claim just three victories in 12 matches, the Auckland-based outfit are interestingly favourites for this encounter.
Tana Umaga’s men are effectively out of the race for the play-off places but that may allow them to relax, with bet365, Sky Bet and William Hill having them down at 1/3 to secure just their fourth triumph.
They are in the most competitive conference and their record against teams from outside New Zealand was generally excellent last season, but even that has declined this time around.
The Blues are also taking on a side who have genuine aspirations of a top-eight finish but the Rebels’ matches against franchises from across the Tasman Sea have seen them ship over 50 points on both occasions.
However, Dave Wessels’ charges were facing the Hurricanes and Crusaders, so the 27/11 odds at 888sport appear slightly long, particularly with the Blues missing star winger Rieko Ioane.
Without Ioane on the field, Tumua Manu and Matt Duffie are 17/2 at Betfair to cross the whitewash first, but it might be worth looking at the two behind him with the Rebels’ Jack Maddocks and Marika Koroibete both 10/1.
