Chiefs vs Force
The Chiefs welcomes the Force to Hamilton for this Super Rugby encounter. The home side are currently in fourth position with 28 points and will be looking to cement a home quarter final. They have already lost three matches this season and have not looked as good as they did last season. They did however look back to their best last time out when they beat the Waratahs 38-22. The Force were involved in one of the worst ever matches last week when they lost 7-6 to the Highlanders. The game was marred by poor handling and lack of attacking intent.
TIP: The big injury news for the Chiefs was the early withdrawal of Shaun Stevenson from the last match. His not available so there has been a shuffle in the backline with Etene Nanai-Seturo moving to fullback and Daniel Rona moving to the wing. If the Force want to be competitive in this match, they will need to improve their handling. Any turnovers will be punished by the Chiefs as they are the best counter attacking team in the competition. The bookies have the Chiefs as favorites 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
Chiefs vs Force
- The Chiefs have won the last seven matches between the sides.
- The last time the Force beat the Chiefs was in 2014.
Latest results for both teams
The Chiefs beat the Waratahs 38-22 in their last match while the Force were beaten 7-6 by the Highlanders in their last match.
PREDICTION
The Chiefs have blown hot and clod this season but at home they have put teams to the sword. We do not expect different in this match as anything less than a bonus point win for the hosts will be considered disappointing. The Chiefs have the best backline in the competition and are ked by arguably the best attacking flyhalf in NZ in Damian McKenzie. They visitors must prevent the home side from getting quick ball otherwise they will eb chasing shadows for 80 minutes. The Force will be hoping that new nine Issak Fines-Leleiwasa will bring energy to a lethargic backline. I am predicting a Chiefs win by 30 points.
Probable Starting XVs
Chiefs
15 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Daniel Rona, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Kaylum Boshier (c), 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 3 George Dyer, 2 Bradley Slater, 1 Aidan Ross
Force
5 Kurtley Beale, 14 Bayley Kuenzle, 13 Sam Spink, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Chase Tiatia, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 8 Reed Prinsep, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Will Harris, 5 Jeremy Williams (c), 4 Tom Franklin, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Tom Horton, 1 Josh Bartlett
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Chiefs victory are as follows:
Tictacbets 1.05
SoccerShop 1.05
Bettabets 1.05
Odds comparison on the Chiefs handicap:
The complete odds on the Chiefs handicap:
Tictacbets 1.90 (-22.5)
SoccerShop 1.87 (-22.5)
Bettabets 1.89 (-22.5)
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor odds on the Chiefs 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)
Moana vs Highlanders
Gloucester vs Benetton
Chiefs vs Force
Sharks vs Clermont
Brumbies vs Drua
Canon Eagles vs Wild Knights
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.