We take a look at Saturday (6/7/2019) Super Rugby Grand Final 2019 match which is between the Crusaders and Jaguares. The Crusaders go into the match as the very short priced favourites to win the final.
When: Saturday, July 6th at 5:35PM
Where: Ami Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Preview:
Well after 20 weeks we have our Super Rugby Finalists and yet again it’s the Crusaders with a chance to be crowned champions.
It seemed largely inevitable for most of the season that the Crusaders would make the decider, after all they been on top of the competition ladder for most, if not all of the season.
Not to mention that this will be their 14th appearance in this game so certainly have the big game experience.
As for the Jaguares this is easily their most successful season having improved every year culminating with the South African Conference title this year and easily the best side they have fielded.
What they lack in big game experience they certainly make up for in guile and genuine talent, they have shown over the course of the season they have the ability to win low and high scoring contests and bring a seven game winning streak into the final.
They won 11 of their 16 games this season with their last defeat coming on May 11 when they played the Highlanders in Dunedin.
In fact, they have won 11 of their last 12 since the start of April and will be full of confidence.
The Crusaders on the other hand have had an up and down season by their lofty standards, also winning 11 games, drawing twice and losing twice with their game away to the Highlanders also declared a draw after the Christchurch shooting in March.
It can’t be overstated how important it is to the Crusaders playing this game at home is, they have not lost at AMI Stadium since Round 17, 2016 which says it all about how tough a venue it is for opponents to come there.
The only side to pick up anything of value in that time was the Sharks who held them to a draw in May.
They will be without Ryan Crotty and Scott Barrett, both of whom have been ruled out with hand injuries however the Jaguares do have a long haul flight to overcome which, as we have seen in this Super Rugby format, is a big ask.
Despite occasional appearances to the contrary, this Crusaders side is definitely not the invincible force they have been in the past, it won’t be a procession to the trophy.
As the week has gone on and the more you give it some thought, you could really make a case that the Jaguares will ride their momentum and cause an upset, but I’m not ready to buy the Crusaders losing their first ever home final here.
I’m happy to back the Jaguares to give them everything they can handle, and I would not be at all surprised if this winds up being a tense game that goes down to the wire.
Odds:
Tip: Crusaders at $1.18
*Odds correct at time of posting. Subject to change