Super Rugby Round 10 - Waratahs v Lions (Friday 7:45pm AEST)
The Waratahs kept their unbeaten tag against Australian opposition intact last week with a 37-16 win over the Reds. The victory was their third triumph by 20 or more points since mid-March and their fourth consecutive competition success.
Taking on the Lions this Friday night at Allianz Stadium, the Waratahs enter the match as outright favourites given their South African opponent has lost two of its last three, and has never managed a win in Sydney (three attempts).
Paying $1.70 at TAB, the Tahs have been well supported in early betting. However, the $2.20 for the tourists has attracted interest after their strong showing against the Stormers last week.
Scoring eight tries to four, the Johannesburg-based outfit prevailed over local opposition for a 20th straight time and consolidated their position at the top of their conference.
Still, questions remain about the Lions' form given their 49-35 loss to the Jaguares in Round 6 and their narrow escape (40-38) against the struggling Sunwolves in a week prior.
The first of four straight games on the road for Swys de Bruin's men, this match could shape as a potential semifinal preview given the current standing of both teams in the competition.
Tip: The Waratahs to defeat the Lions at $1.70
Super Rugby Round 10 - Brumbies v Jaguares (Sunday 4:05pm AEST)
Despite a loss last week, the Brumbies are expected to prove too strong for the Jaguares when the teams meet at GIO Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Dan McKellar's men have won two of their last three at home and put in a spirited showing against the Highlanders last Saturday, keeping themselves in the contest for all but the final quarter.
The Argentinian side isn't to be written off however, and their impressive victory over the Rebels in Melbourne last week demonstrates an ability to frustrate opposition with dogged defence.
Extending their overall season record to 3-5, the win was their second in three matches. It also highlighted their ability to beat high-quality opposition given all three of their successes this year have been against sides leading or coming second in their respective conference (Waratahs, Lions, Rebels).
To that end, the $2.65 on offer at TAB for Mario Ledesma's team to spring the upset is certainly giving punters cause for thought; the $1.48 on the home team is certainly the more popular option at this stage though.
For the record, the Brumbies were victorious in this pair's only previous meeting. Taking place in May last year, the visitors scored six tries to two in a dominant display in Buenos Aires.
Tip: The Brumbies to account for the Jaguares at $1.48
Multi of the Week
Potential collect for $10 outlay = $90.80
Leg 1: Waratahs (Head to Head) @ $1.70
Unbeaten at home this season and with four consecutive wins to their name, the Waratahs are expected to overpower the Lions. Although the South African outfit impressed last week, they have lost their last three straight in Sydney and failed against the Jaguares in their last assignment on the road.
Leg 2: Sunwolves (line) @ $1.90
The Sunwolves appear to be lambs heading to the slaughter in Christchurch. Winless in 2018, the men from Japan were taken apart by comparable opposition to the Crusaders this season (they lost 10-61 to the Chiefs in late March) and were outplayed in their only previous match with the reigning Super Rugby champions, ultimately going down by 47 points (14/4/2017).
After a strong showing in early to mid March, the Reds have slipped to three consecutive losses, allowing a combined total of 107 points to be scored against them in the process. Facing a Chiefs side that has won five of their last six and three straight against the Reds - two of which came in Brisbane - a surprise win appears unlikely.
Leg 4: Brumbies (Head to Head) at $1.48
The Jaguares have beaten some highly-regarded opposition this year (including the Rebels last week) and are expected to prove a tricky proposition for the Brumbies. That said, the home side have won two of three at Canberra Stadium this season and dominated the Argentinian outfit when the pair met in Buenos Aires last year.