I was so confident in the Sharks and Stormers in the week leading up to round 3 of Super Rugby, but confidence doesn’t always translate into cash. This week it translated simply into frustration, but not deterrence.
An important lesson from the MoneyMan, when I started betting, was to never feel despondent about a losing bet if I felt I had made the right call and done my homework. Both of which I maintain I had done. The Sharks, entering the game with a bench comprised of six forwards and two backs, lost the X-Factor of Makazole Mapimpi and then flyhalf Boeta Chamberlain, who had come in on Friday as a replacement for Curwin Bosch. Had they not suffered these key injuries, I do feel that the game would have panned out very differently, as the injury at flyhallf significantly impacted the defensive structure and tactical kicking, and we all know by now the value that Mapimpi adds. The Sharks loss also affected a multi-bet which otherwise would have paid off nicely.
In terms of the Stormers, It seemed a no-brainer to take the odds on offer for a seven point win against a Lions outfit that has been awful this season. But, as is the nature of sport, nothing is set in stone. The Lions should not have been in that game, especially not leading in overtime, and if I had the chance to bet on that game again, I wouldn’t change my thinking. I think it was simply a case of the Stormers not pitching up.
A weekend like this is frustrating, but a learning curve none the less. In the future, I’ll try keep my multi-bets separate to any big single bets I place, to almost try cover for cases where the unexpected happens. Luckily, there are still many rounds of Super Rugby left to win this back, and I’m confident I’ll do so!
