Brumbies And Crusaders Super 12 Favs

7 January 2002

The Crusaders and the Blues are the best Kiwi bet to win this year’s Telecom Super 12, according to TAB head bookie Pete Young.

The TAB has released its odds for this year’s competition, which kicks off on February 22. The Brumbies are favourites at $3.50 to win. The Crusaders are second favourite paying $6.00.

“The Brumbies are the reigning Super 12 champions and have six home games this year, one more than last year. And as every visiting team knows, it’s hard to win at Bruce Stadium,” Pete Young said.

“The Crusaders were 10th in the competition last year, but remember they have a proven track record, having won it three times. They are also the NPC champs and have promising young stars in Ben Blair and the Mauger brothers.”

Last year’s beaten finalist, the Sharks, are third favourite at $8.00. “They made vast improvements last year and have a settled squad and will be up for the challenge,” said Young.

Young said New Zealand teams should be wary of the Australian threat, with the Reds and Waratahs joining the Blues as fourth favourites on $9.00.

“All the Aussie teams are paying under $10.00 and we will be looking with interest at the impact of league imports Mat Rogers for the Waratahs and big Wendell Sailor for the Reds. The Blues look to have a stronger line-up this year with North Harbour and Northland players.”

The Cats, Highlanders and Stormers are fifth favourites paying $13.00. “Laurie Mains has left the Cats for the Highlanders and while the Southerners were the best performing New Zealand team last year, they did struggle to win away from home,” Young said.

The Chiefs and Hurricanes are sixth favourites on $18.00

“The Chiefs improved last year under John Mitchell but may struggle to carry on with it, while the Hurricanes are the most unpredictable team in the competition. They have the brilliance but no consistency. Playmaker Tana Umaga is also under an injury cloud,” Young said.

The Bulls are again bottom paying $150 to win. “They won two games last year and that was a good result for them.”

Telecom Super 12 2002 Odds

Brumbies $3.50
Crusaders $6.00
Sharks $8.00
Blues $9.00
Reds $9.00
Waratahs $9.00
Cats $13.00
Highlanders $13.0
Stormers $13.00
Chiefs $18.00
Hurricanes $18.00
Bulls $150.00

Ends

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