Super Rugby 2019: Round three predictions and fixtures
Another weekend, another opportunity to get the predictions completely wrong. It’s been a wild Super Rugby season with some stunning upsets and some agonising misses.
Super Rugby predictions are all part of the fun, right? Whether you play prediction games or not.
As ever, we continue our weekly predictions using data – so that we can absolve ourselves from our rugby knowledge being called into question.
First things first, here are the fixtures for this weekend.
Super Rugby: Round three fixtures
Times listed are GMT.
Friday, 1 March 2019
Hurricanes vs Brumbies – 6:35
FOLLOW IT LIVE: Hurricanes v Brumbies
Rebels vs Highlanders – 8:45
Saturday, 2 March 2019
Chiefs vs Sunwolves – 6:35
Reds vs Crusaders – 8:45
Lions vs Bulls – 13:05
Sharks vs Stormers – 15:15
Jaguares vs Blues – 21:40
Now, onto Super Rugby predictions. We use two datasets. The first is taken from a New Zealand data scientist who gives both the expected winning margin and the winner. The second is from the RugbyPassIndex.
On paper, this weekend looks like a far easier one for the predictions. But that's what everyone thought about the opening weekend. The Gauteng derby in South Africa is by far the most enticing contest of the weekend.
Super Rugby: Round three predictions
Hurricanes v Brumbies
Winner: Hurricanes
Likely winning margin: 12
Rugby Pass Index Prediction
Rebels v Highlanders
Winner: Highlanders
Likely winning margin: 6
Rugby Pass Index Prediction
Chiefs v Sunwolves
Winner: Chiefs
Likely winning margin: 26
Rugby Pass Index Prediction
Reds v Crusaders
Winner: Crusaders
Likely winning margin: 21
Rugby Pass Index Prediction
Lions v Bulls
Winner: Lions
Likely winning margin: 13
Rugby Pass Index Prediction
Sharks v Stormers
Winner: Sharks
Likely winning margin: 8
Rugby Pass Index Prediction
Jaguares v Blues
Winner: Jaguares
Likely winning margin: 7
Rugby Pass Index Prediction
About the RugbyPassIndex:
RugbyPass has created a next-generation rugby rating system, based on machine learning and shaped by game winning moments. The system (RPI) is a world first for its complexity and comprehensive embrace of northern and southern hemisphere players and teams.
By using in-depth data analysis, RPI determines exactly what it takes to win, in real time. Check out the RPI here.