Try scorer tips for Super Rugby Final – Hurricanes vs. Lions

Saturday, August 6 from 5.35pm at Westpac Stadium – watch on Foxtel

THE two best teams in Super Rugby meet in the final on Saturday night to decide a new global champion.

The Hurricanes is the only New Zealand team not to have won the title, but many believe 2016 is the year it will break through. With great counterattacking play, the Hurricanes can hurt teams from anywhere on the park and with the experience of its All Blacks representatives, they will be tough to beat on Saturday.

The Lions have turned its franchise around from being easy-beats to one of the best teams in the competition.

Despite giving up a potential home final, which is still a controversial decision from the coach, the Lions will feel comfortable about travelling to Wellington, but conditions in New Zealand’s capital will be a far cry from those in South Africa.

Bookmakers are siding with the home team and we think it could be the Hurricanes’ year, but the try-scoring markets are where we’re heading because there are star players on show.

Hurricanes first try-scorer betting tips

The Hurricanes have try-scoring threats across the park. With slick backs and rangy forwards, the Hurricanes are a complete team which the Lions will need to defend for 80 minutes.

There is about six legitimate first try-scoring market options from the Hurricanes, which is headed by promoted winger Jason Woodward, who is playing in front of All Black Julian Savea.

Julian’s brother Ardie is also a threat at $18 with Crownbet and despite being a forward, he plays with great pace and could find himself in the position to score the first try of the game.

Jason Woodward – $11
Cory Jane – $12
James Marshall – $16
Beauden Barrett – $16
Willis Halaholo – $18
Matt Proctor – $18
TJ Perenara – $18
Ardie Savea – $18
Dane Coles – $18
Victor Vito – $21
Brad Shields – $26
Vaea Fifita – $31
Loni Uhila – $41
Michael Fatialofa – $41
Ben May – $61

Lions first try-scorer betting tips

The Lions play a similar game to the Hurricanes. It can attack from anywhere on the park and it usually beats teams with pure pace.

Andries Coetzee has blistering pace as he showed in the semi-final against the Highlanders and the $16 looks a good price for this.

Ruan Combrinck is a solid centre who is hard to stop close to the line. The big South African is $2.50 to score at any time throughout the game which looks like good value.

Courtnall Skosan – $11
Ruan Combrinck – $12
Lionel Mapoe – $14
Andries Coetzee – $16
Rohan Janse van Rensburg – $18
Faf de Klerk – $21
Warren Whiteley – $26
Jaco Kriel – $26
Elton Jantjies – $26
Warwick Tecklenburg – $31
Malcolm Marx – $31
Andries Ferreira – $41
Franco Mostert – $41
Julian Redelinghuys – $61
Dylan Smith – $61

Game prediction and best exotic bets

The Beauden Barrett total run metres (over 44.5 – $1.85 at Crownbet) is an attractive option for exotic punters. Barrett usually gets a runaway try or an intercept like he did against the Chiefs last week, so he should be able to amass more than 45 metres in this game.

Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles is back from injury and we all know he loves to sit on the wing and score the odd try. Coles is currently paying $4.50 to score more tries than Malcolm Marx and that is great value. Take Coles and hope he scores one of his infamous tries.

We also like the option of the Hurricanes to win both halves. This means it needs to score more points than the Lions in both halves. This is paying $2.70 at Crownbet.com.au and it should be right on the money.

We’re expecting the Hurricanes to take out its first Super Rugby final, but we wouldn’t be surprised if the Lions put up a fight. That being said, the Lions travel could catch up to them and the Hurricanes will be very fresh.

OUR TIP: Hurricanes should hold the Lions off and win by 10. Hurricanes 34 – Lions 24.