Super Rugby round 18: match previews, TV details and tipping

Brumbies v Reds

Sky Sports Action, 10.45am Saturday

The Brumbies are already guaranteed a home quarter-final and they sign off against the second-from-bottom Reds.

Last week's success over the Waratahs in Sydney made it five wins on the spin for the Brumbies while the Reds arrested a four-match losing run with a one-point win over the Blues.

All of those defeats were by a single-figure margin and the Reds can be backed with a ten-point start.

But the Brumbies have won the last four in Canberra by margins of 24, 33, 19 and 44 points and will want to go into the playoffs with a big win under their belts.

Recommendation
Brumbies -7
2pts 10-11 Betfair

Hurricanes v Blues

Sky Sports Action, 8.35am Saturday

With a home quarter-final berth in the bag the Highlanders are taking a safety-first approach to this final regular-season clash by resting key players.

Beauden and Jordie Barrett are given the week off along with top tryscorer Ngani Laumape, while Ardie Savea and TJ Perenara are on the bench. Despite the big gulf in the standings, bookmakers rate this virtually a scratch game.

The Canes' only defeats this season have come to the table-topping Crusaders (twice) and to the Jaguares, and they are boosted by the return of hooker Dane Coles who makes his first start for more than two months.

Despite playing in the front row, Coles runs at defences like a centre and has 16 tries to his name. This could be a high-scoring jamboree and Coles looks worth backing to mark his home comeback with a score after bagging a brace off the bench last week.

Recommendation
D Coles to score a try
1pt 11-5 bet365

Jaguares v Sunwolves

Sky Sports Action, 11.10pm Friday

Los Jaguares are another side to have sealed a home quarter-final and they have suffered just one defeat in their last nine - a bonus-point loss to the second-placed Highlanders in Dunedin.

The Sunwolves have lost their last eight, lurching wildly from narrow defeats to some heavy thrashings, and the handicap has been set in the 20s in Buenos Aires.

The Jaguares probably won't turn in their usual physicality and intensity against low-grade opponents with little to play for, and it would be no surprise to see an open encounter packed with scores.

The points line has been set high at 64.5, but the Sunwolves have scored five tries in their last two matches and can do their bit to pump up the scoreline.

Recommendation
Over 64.5 points
2pts 5-6 Sky Bet

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