Super Rugby: round one preview, betting tips & TV details

Brumbies v Rebels

Sky Sports Action, 8.45am Friday

The Rebels unveil their new half-back pairing of Will Genia and Quade Cooper and if they can hit the ground running the Melbourne outfit look a decent price to edge a workmanlike but limited Brumbies side.

Both fixtures last year were won by the Rebels, who scored nine tries to five, and they have added an extra dimension.

Recommendation
Rebels
1pt 6-4 general

Chiefs v Highlanders

Sky Sports Action, 6.35am Friday

All the talk will be of who’s not on the pitch in Hamilton for this season's opening Super Rugby encounter. Chiefs fly-half Damian McKenzie has an ankle injury so Orbyn Leger comes in for the All Black, while the Highlanders begin life without the departed Lima Sopoaga at number ten.

Bookmakers make the visitors marginal favourites but while it’s hard to split the pair, we could be in for a high-scoring match. Their two fixtures last season produced 16 tries, and experienced Highlanders full-back Ben Smith might be the man to step up at a big price.

Recommendation
B Smith to score a try
1pt 23-10 BoyleSports

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