Happy after picking them last weekend, Matt Burke is all over the Hurricanes again this week when they meet the Brumbies at home in their Super Rugby match.

Hurricanes v Brumbies

Regular readers will know that on the strength of a victory against the Blues two weeks ago, and the fact that the Highlanders had a hectic travel schedule, I picked an away win for the Hurricanes last week at the juicy odds of $3.

This week against the Brumbies the Hurricanes face a team looking to consolidate their position at the top of the Australian conference.

The Brumbies will be refreshed as they come off a bye and confident with the win over the Tahs two weeks ago. The concern for Jake White's men is that they have now lost two of their playmakers in Matt Toomua and Christian Lealiifano.

The question is not so much who will fill that role but how much of an influence that player will have on the game. Both Peter Hewat and Robbie Coleman have been thrown up as possibilities, however, the Brumbies are going with novice Zack Holmes. They will have to be play with a forward influence and Ben Mowen and his men might just produce something special away from home.

The Hurricanes have made an interesting change in moving Tusi Pisi to the 10 role and relegating Beauden Barrett to the bench. Barrett has been so dominant and I question whether Coach Hammett is making the right decision.

Captained by Conrad Smith, the same outfit will take the field and no doubt be formidable at home and look to continue their winning streak.

Hurricanes for the win at less than 12.5 points looks the play at Betfair odds of $2.84.


Reds v Lions

Chasing is the word that the defending champions would be using this week.

Chasing a win, points and tries to keep climbing the ladder and to put pressure on the Brumbies in the Australian Conference.

Currently the Brumbies are $1.51 to win the conference whilst the Reds are $2.66

The news that Quade Cooper will be back no doubt will lift the spirits of the team but also the fans. He has had one week of full preparation with the team and will get the combination back together with Will Genia

The Lions have struggled this season for their wins and to get across the white line. They will struggle again at the fortress that is Suncorp.

This game is not for trying to pick the winner but by how much for the Reds.

Reds for the win by 21 so the line bet at -17.5 points is the play at $1.95.