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Super Rugby 2026 Round 1 Betting Tips - Crusaders to start Super Rugby season with a win

ben-darvill
Ben Darvill
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Last updated: 10 Feb 2026
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Ben Darvill 10 Feb 2026
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  • The new Super Rugby season begins on Friday as the Highlanders host the Crusaders
  • Tips include Highlanders vs Crusaders and Blues vs Chiefs 
  • Preview, stats & head to head
Super Rugby returns this weekend (Getty Images)
Super Rugby returns this weekend (Getty Images)


Super Rugby Pacific Round 1 Best Bets


The new Super Rugby Pacific season is finally here, with some of the best sides in the club game all battling for silverware in one of the most competitive and unpredictable union competitions in the world. 

Ahead of the opening round of the tournament, we have brought together our best bets for a selection of the biggest matches. 

Highlanders vs Crusaders 


The Highlanders may have been handed a tough game against the reigning champions of the competition in round one, but this constitutes a chance to make a major statement at the start of the new season. Last term, the Highlanders trundled to three wins in 14 attempts, with their 20 points seeing them sit on less than half the tally of the Chiefs at the summit. 

While they ended last season on the back of a six-game losing run, they will hope that 2026 will bring renewed fortunes. While anything can happen at the start of a new campaign, the Highlanders arrive on the back of two consecutive defeats against their opponents along with 10 defeats in their last 11 outings. With this in mind, it is tough to see the home side springing a surprise. 

The Crusaders were a team renewed last term, finishing in second on the ladder at the end of the regular season before storming to the crown in the grand final. This came after a dismal 2024 season saw them finish in ninth, 32 points short of the Hurricanes at the summit. 

Heading into this one, the Crusaders have won their last six, while they have won 10 of their last 11. Across their last six meetings with the Highlanders, the Crusaders have won five times, and I back them to win by 13 points or more as they start the new season with a comfortable victory.  

Blues vs Chiefs


The Blues arrive for the new season hoping to build on an underwhelming regular season that ended with a run to the semi-finals. A sixth-placed finish on the ladder saw the Blues then beat the Chiefs 20-19 in the quarter-finals before they were beaten 21-14 by eventually champions the Crusaders. Clearly, the Blues had the quality to challenge, but they were not consistent enough. 

Against the Chiefs, they have been inconsistent. Across their last three meetings the Chiefs have won twice with the Blues winning once. While I predict a close match, I am backing against the home side in this one as they slip to a defeat at the hands of the visitors. 

The Chiefs will feel they have a lot to prove after losing in each of the last three Super Rugby finals. Defeats to the Crusaders in 2023 and 2025 sandwich a crushing 41-10 loss to the Blues in 2024, with the Chiefs continually running out of steam at the vital moment. 

Last season, the Chiefs notched a battling 25-14 win over the Blues in their opener as they left with a win. With the pair have enjoyed some competitive meetings of late, I predict another close match, but I am backing the travelling side to notch a third win in their last four matches against the Blues. 

Verdict

I am backing home advantage to count for nothing this week as the Crusaders win comfortably before the Chiefs battle to a tight win. 

Best Bet1: Crusaders 13+ Winning Margin @155.00 at Shuffle - 1 Unit
Best Bet2: Chiefs 1-12 Winning Margin @175.00 at Shuffle - 1 Unit
Crusaders 13+
Winning Margin
@155.00 - 1 Unit
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Bet at Shuffle
Chiefs 1-12
Winning Margin
@175.00 - 1 Unit
25,000 Gold Coins + 1 Shuffle Cash
with referral code MADMAX

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