Super Rugby Round 13 - Crusaders v Waratahs (Saturday 3:15pm AEST)
Although the Waratahs aren't expected to halt a run of 37-straight Super Rugby matches in which Australian teams have lost to Kiwi opposition, there is plenty of interest in their chances at the line.
Given +19.5, the Tahs head start is considerable and one they will be confident of protecting. In nine matches between the sides dating back to 2009, NSW hasn't lost by a margin greater than the current line number.
What's more, in six of those games, the Aussie outfit has either won or been defeated by fewer than eight points.
However, it must be said that the Tahs have lost each of their past two matches to Canterbury by 19 points and enter this on the back of two straight competition defeats.
Furthermore, the reigning champions have plenty of momentum with six straight wins to their name, including a big 45-point victory in their last outing against the Rebels.
It is therefore understandable that the home side is at $1.07 to win the match at TAB with the visitors at $8.50 to spring the upset at AMI Stadium in Christchurch.
Tip: The Waratahs to win, draw, or lose by 19 points or less at $1.95
Super Rugby Round 13 - Brumbies v Rebels (Saturday 7:45pm AEST)
After a scintillating start to the season, the Rebels have suffered a dramatic slide in form that has seen them lose five consecutive matches.
Alarmingly, they have lost four of those games by a margin of 16 points or more and have had more points scored against them (303) than any other team from Australia.
Scheduled to meet the Brumbies in the nation's capital on Saturday night, they'll be hoping to return to winning ways against an opponent they defeated in Week 4 of the competition.
Despite that 23-point victory, Dave Wessels' men will start the clash as the firm outsider ($2.60) with their northern rival now $1.50 to secure the four competition points.
This favouritism perhaps comes on the back of Canberra's gritty defeat to the Crusaders on April 28. Missing key players in the clash, they kept the New Zealand conference leader to just 21 points to go down by 13 at the final whistle.
Given Christian Lealiifano is set to return to the XV this weekend, there is every expectation the home side will improve further on their last effort and hand the visitors their sixth loss in seven visits to GIO Stadium.
Tip: The Brumbies to account for the Rebels at $1.50
Bet of the Week
Potential collect for $10 outlay = $77.70
Although the Blues are expected to struggle against the Hurricanes, they enter the clash on the back of a hard-fought away win over the Tahs and are expected to get a boost from the return of their dual-code superstar, Sonny Bill Williams.
Despite three losses to Kiwi opposition in their last three matches, the Sunwolves were far from embarrassed and they will attract interest at $3.20 in their home game against the Reds on Saturday. Still, the men from Japan have never beaten a team from Australia and the Reds do have momentum after beating the Lions last week.
Leg 3: Waratahs (line) @ $1.95
The Tahs will be hard pressed to beat the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday, however their considerable +19.5 head-start has plenty thinking. In their past nine meetings, the teams haven't played in a match with a final margin over the current line number, whilst in six of those games NSW has won or been defeated by fewer than eight.
The Rebels' dramatic slide in form is expected to continue when they meet the Brumbies on Saturday night. The Melbourne side has lost five consecutive competition matches and in seven visits to GIO Stadium has only won the sole encounter.