Crusaders vs Waratahs Predictions: More points to come in Melbourne

There's more Super Rugby from the southern hemisphere on Saturday morning and we've asked our Rugby expert Alex Cox to run his eye over the match-up between Crusaders and Waratah. He has also given us his prediction for how this one is likely to go down.

Questionable defence and champagne rugby has been the order of business so far in Melbourne this weekend, and I don’t see that changing in this fixture.

Rob Penny had a tough outing in his first game as Crusaders Head Coach and came up just short against the Chiefs last weekend. This week, however, he comes up against his previous employers and will most certainly be looking to get his first win. To help that goal, he has been able to recall a few All Blacks – which is a luxury that not many club coaches have.

The Waratahs started their season on the backfoot as well, losing by 40-22 at Suncorp Stadium vs the Reds. Darren Coleman’s life doesn’t get any easier this week against the reigning Champions but he’ll be looking to quieten down the media rumors around his level of job security. However the Waratahs are currently looking a shadow of themselves so far, with a number of key personnel changes in the off-season affecting their continuity. They have demonstrated that they are able to score tries however their defence and set-piece still has a large question mark next to it.

Team news

Crusaders

Rob Penny has made a few changes to last weeks side after a few injuries were picked up. Bower, Bell and Newell will link up in the front row – with the latter replacing Tamati Williams after he pulled his hamstring vs the Chiefs whilst making a rare break down the sidelines. Captain Scott Barrett and Strange pair up at Lock, with Gardener, Christie and Grace completing the forwards.

There are also changes in the backline, with youngsters Hotham and Kemara starting at Scrum Half and Fly Half respectively. All Black Havilli returns at 12, with the man-mountain Aumua outside him at 13. No changes to the outside backs this week, with Springer, Reece and Fihaki the threats out-wide.

Waratahs

Darren Coleman has had to make a couple of changes too, but largely it’s a similar side to last week. Bell, Vailanu and Johnson-Holmes are in the front-row with Holloway and Sinclair in behind them. The back-row will be ex-Bath player Lee-Warner along with Gamble and Gleeson.

No change to the half-backs this week, with skipper Gordon combining with youngster Edmed again. After injuries to Perese and Foketi, the midfield partnership will be Walton and Wilson this week. Wilson has only one prior start for the Waratahs and that was at Full-back, so this is certainly unfamiliar territory for him. Out-wide will be Pietsch, Nawaqanitawase and Jorgensen, each of whom are certainly running threats In the wide channels.

Over 58.5 points @ 10/11

With so many attacking weapons on show – especially in the Kiwi’s lineup – I am expecting a high scoring affair in this fixture. Something in this Melbourne pitch seems to bring out the attacking talents of sides and at the same time, they forget how to defend! We’ve seen 66 and 82 points in the 2 games so far, with an average of 69 points in the Super Round games last season – meaning this is set up to be another game with points aplenty.

You can find all out latest Rugby Union Betting Tips over on our Insights hub.