Super 15 2013 - Week 3

Chiefs (1/14) v Cheetahs (10)

The Chiefs put down an early marker to all looking to take their title when putting four tries down at the Hurricanes and the Cheetahs could be in for a mauling if they’re in the same form on home turf this week, or if the visitors are as generous as they work to the Sharks, who were 26-5 up at one point before their impressive comeback, and will need to be even better to stay within touching distance.

Advice: 3 pts Chiefs to score 35 or more points (5/6 Sportingbet)

Bulls (1/12) v Western Force (9)

The Melbourne Forces’ inability to kick on after a strong first half start has cost them dearly in both games so far, with leads against the Rebels and the Southern Kings (hot favourites for the Wooden Spoon) evaporating in the second half, and the Bulls are expected to put them to the sword at Loftus Versfield. While they were possibly flattered by a 25-17 win against the Stormers, they kept their composure and are a level above anything the Force will have faced so far, while the pressure of playing at altitude may prove too much in the second half. The Bulls won 6 out of 8 home matches last season and have won their last 11 successive home matches against Australian opposition banking a 4 try bonus point on 6 of those occasions, so take the second half handicap – the Force gave up 6 points to the Rebels after half time and were kept scoreless in the second 40 by the Kings.

Advice: 2 pts Bulls -8 on 2^nd half handicap (10/11 Hills)

Sharks (8/13) v Stormers (15/8)

Patrick Lambie landed seven from seven off the tee for the Sharks last week, while Eljton Janties missed 4 successive penalty kicks for the Stormers; One lost by 8 points, while the other won by 7. The two Springbok flyhalves meet once again in arguably the game of the day, with Lambie’s Sharks having the crucial home advantage that might just edge it. While Janties’s poor game off the tee hardly helped matters, they were flattered by the end score and will need to be far better if they’re going to get anything, and the absence of Eden Etzebeth – so big in last season’s Currie Cup final when WP beat the Sharks in Durban – is a significant hole. The Sharks had a brilliant home record in 2012 losing only to the Chiefs and winning the other 7 matches, scoring at least 25 points in all but the Chiefs encounter. A Sharks win by 1-12 points would have paid out in the last 4 matchups between the two here and looks to be the best value.

Advice: 2 pts Sharks to win by 1-12 points (13/8 general)