Hurricanes vs Highlanders
The Hurricanes play host to the Highlanders in this all NZ derby to close out the league phase of the competition. The home team will be looking for a massive win in terms of points as they look to snatch the top spot from the Blues. Both teams are on 51 points but the Blues face a tough encounter against the Chiefs. The Highlanders have chosen to rest a few players after they clinched their spot in the playoffs with a crushing 39-3 win over the Fijian Drua in the last round. The big news for the home team is the return of Asafo Aumua after a lengthy injury break.
TIP: The visitors decision to rest some of their key players before the playoffs is a strange one as those players could be rusty not playing for two weeks. The Hurricanes will be disappointed if they do not win with a bonus point as they have selected their strongest team. The match as usual with be decided in the forwards but it is the dangerous Hurricanes backs that could see a cricket score of a total being scored. The bookies have the Hurricanes as favourites and I’m also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Tictacbets 1.05, SoccerShop 1.05 and Bettabets 1.05
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS
Hurricanes vs Highlanders
- The Hurricanes have won the last six matches between the sides.
- The Highlanders last beat the Canes in 2020.
Latest results for both teams
The Hurricanes won 20-17 against the Chiefs in the last match while the Highlanders beat the Drua 39-3 in their last match.
PREDICTION
Young Ajay Faleafaga will again don the ten jersey after his impressive performance in the win over the Drua. He can expect to be put under pressure by the home sides powerful combination of Billy Proctor and Jordie Barrett. One of the keys to the Canes success this season has been their excellent halfback pairing of Brett Cameron and TJ Perenara. They have been superb in launching the dangerous backline that includes the likes of Ruben Love and Josh Moorby. The out of hand kicking of the Highlanders will be key as any wayward kicks will be severely punished by the pacy back three players. I am predicting a home win by 30 points.
Probable Starting XVs
Hurricanes
15 Ruben Love, 14 Josh Moorby, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett (c), 11 Salesi Rayasi, 10 Brett Cameron, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Brayden Iose, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Devan Flanders, 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 James Tucker, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Xavier Numia
Highlanders
15 Finn Hurley, 14 Connor Garden-Bachop, 13 Matt Whaanga, 12 Sam Gilbert, 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Ajay Faleafaga, 9 James Arscott, 8 Nikora Broughton, 7 Billy Harmon (cc), 6 Max Hicks, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Will Tucker, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Henry Bell, 1 Ethan de Groot (cc)
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Hurricanes victory are as follows:
Tictacbets 1.05
Wanejo 1.05
Bettabets 1.05
Odds comparison on the Crusaders handicap:
The complete odds on the Crusaders handicap:
Tictacbets 1.90 (-22.5)
Wanejo 1.87 (-22.5)
Bettabets 1.89 (-22.5)
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor odds on the Hurricanes outright win therefore we suggest backing the home team on the handicap for better odds. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Tictacbets 1.90 (-22.5), SoccerShop 1.87 (-22.5) and Bettabets 1.89 (-22.5)
Other tips for the weekend (Predicted winners are in BOLD text)
Waratahs vs Reds
Force vs Brumbies
Stormers vs Lions
Scarlets vs Dragons
Cardiff vs Ospreys
Bath vs Sale Sharks
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.