Super Rugby: Brumbies face Eden Park acid test

The ACT Brumbies are preparing for one of the toughest challenges going in Super Rugby Pacific this season, as they get set to face the Blues at Eden Park.

Winning six of their seven games so far this season, the Blues have established themselves as serious contenders to go all the way and win the grand final this year.

The in-form Brumbies have struggled in this fixture in Auckland in recent seasons and it will take arguably their performance of the campaign so far to head back to the Australian capital with the win on Saturday.

. What: Blues v Brumbies
. Where: Eden Park, Auckland
. When: 17:05, Saturday 20th April 2024
. How to watch: Stan Sport
. Odds: Blues 1.22, Brumbies 4.20

Brumbies set for acid test

Having lost all of their last four games against the Blues at Eden Park, head coach Stephen Larkham will be fully aware of the size of the challenge ahead of his Brumbies side this weekend.

However, his side head to Auckland in good spirits, having won their last five games, including a 40-16 demolition job on the Waratahs last time out.

Cory Toole was one of the four different tryscorers against the Tahs, as the winger continued his excellent run of form.

Toole has now been directly involved in 20 tries in his last 18 Super Rugby outings, with 15 tries and five assists in that time.

The Brumbies flyer is 13.00 to score the opening try of the game on Saturday, while he’s 2.20 to score anytime against the Blues in this one.

Larkham will need his big game players to step up if they are to pull off a shock win at Eden Park, something they are 4.20 to achieve.

Blues scoring for fun

The Blues have been in free-scoring form of late and confidence will certainly be no issue for the hosts this weekend.

Head coach Vern Cotter has witnessed his side score 97 points over their last two games against Moana Pasifika and Western Force, while conceding just 11 in that spell.

Ruthless in attack and formidable in defence, the Blues have the all-round package to really have a crack at the title this season.

Caleb Clarke continues to be a standout performer for the Auckland outfit, with his 310 post-contact metres this season just how difficult a man he is to stop.

Clarke is available at 10.00 to score the opening try of the game on Saturday, while he’s the shortest price at 1.83 in the Anytime tryscorer market.

As mentioned, the Blues have a strong home record in this fixture against the Brumbies on their own patch and are understandably the favourites at 1.22 to claim the win this weekend.

With two in-form teams going head-to-head, this clash at Eden Park is not one to miss.