Last week saw the Brumbies dominance of the tournament come to a halt with the Reds beating the reigning 'champs in an absolute thriller of a game. There was a thrilling conclusion to last Friday's fixture which saw the Rebels sneak a win over the Force.
Things look like they could be a lot more routine this week with the Rebels taking on a Waratahs side that looks streaks behind the rest of the teams in the 'comp, while the Reds will play host to a solid but far inferior Western Force outfit.
Melbourne Rebels v NSW Waratahs
Friday 19 March
AAMI Park
To Win (80 Mins)
Rebels 2/11
Draw 30/1
Waratahs 15/4
Handicap
Rebels 9/10 (-12.5)
Waratahs 9/10 (+12.5)
We start things off in Melbourne where the Rebels will be looking for a far more composed performance than the one they delivered last weekend when they take on a Waratahs side that is really struggling.
The hosts currently lie third on the table but they are only one log point above the Western Force, who they were extremely lucky to beat 7-10 last weekend. Prior to that win, the Rebels had gone down 27-24 to the Brumbies and 23-21 to the Reds.
While the Rebels have struggled this term, the Waratahs have had an absolute 'mare thus far going down 41-7 to the Reds in Round 1, 61-10 to the Brumbies in Round 2 and then 16-20 to a Western Force side that played the final quarter of their Round 3 clash with just 14 men,
The honours were shared evenly between the sides last year with the Waratahs winning the first encounter 38-32 and the Rebels winning the second 29-10.
Verdict: Rebels 9/10 (-12.5)
While a week off would have done them some good, I simply cannot see the Waratahs turning their season around here. I expect the Rebels to finally kick into gear on attack and win this one at a canter.
Queensland Reds v Western Force
Saturday 20 March
Suncorp Stadium
To Win (80 Mins)
Reds 1/8
Draw 33/1
Force 5/1
Handicap
Reds 9/10 (-14.5)
Force 9/10 (+14.5)
Our second installment will see the log-leading Queensland Reds take on the fourth-placed Western Force.
The Reds have got their 2021 campaign off to an absolute flyer and head into this one unbeaten having garnered victories over the Rebels (23-21), the Waratahs (41-7) and the Brumbies (38-40). Their win over the Brumbies last week was the hallmark of a championship side as they came back late to nick the points.
The Force were unable to build on their win over the Waratahs as they succumbed to at 10-7 defeat against the Rebels last week, It was a game they really should have one as they were a man to the good in and camped in their opponents 22 for the final 10-minutes of the game.
In terms of last year's results, the Reds won both fixtures between the sides winning the first 31-24 and the second 5-57.
Verdict: Reds 9/10 (-14.5)
While the Force are a much-improved side, I can still see them having issues against a solid Reds outfit. My money is on the hosts clearing the handicap this coming weekend.