Highlanders vs Chiefs
The Highlanders welcome the high flying Chiefs to the Forsyth Barr Stadium for this Super Rugby match. The home team will be hoping that a return to familiar territory will result in an improved performance after losing their last two matches against Aussie teams. The Highlanders now have the unwanted record of being the only NZ team to lose to Australian opposition in this seasons competition. The Chiefs have no such issues as they remain the only unbeaten team after seeing of the champion Crusaders in their last match. They have now completed the season double over the men from Christchurch.
TIP: The Highlanders have struggled all season and are yet to win against any of their fellow Kiwi teams and their task in this match could not be any more difficult. The home team have selected Freddie Burns at ten, hoping he can improve their attack. The Chiefs are without Brodie Retalick for this match but still have plenty of firepower to see of the challenge of the eighth placed Highlanders. The bookies have the Chiefs as favourites and I’m also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.18, Gbets 1.19 and Hollywoodbets 1.18
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Highlanders vs Chiefs
- The Chiefs are unbeaten in the last three matches against the Highlanders.
- The Highlanders have not lost in their last three home matches against the Chiefs with one win and two draws.
Latest results for both teams
The Waratahs beat the Highlanders 21-20 in their last match while the Chiefs beat the Crusaders 34-24 in their last match.
PREDICTION
The Chiefs are enjoying their best ever start to a Super Rugby season with nine consecutive wins and it is hard to see the Highlanders preventing them making it ten. Two of the standout players for the visitors have been Shaun Stevenson and Damian McKenzie as they have been sublime from the first match. Both players will surely be called up to the All Blacks this season as McKenzie completely outshone Richie Mo’unga in the last match. The Highlanders have been chopping and changing their team, looking for the right combinations and this time round they pinning their hopes on the Englishmen Burns. The Chiefs have too much class around the field therefore I predict an away win by 10 points.
Probable Starting XVs
Highlanders
15 Sam Gilbert, 14 Connor Garden-Bachop, 13 Fetuli Paea, 12 Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 11 Scott Gregory, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 HughRenton, 7 Billy Harmon (c), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Will Tucker, 4 Pari Pari Parkinson, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Andrew Makalio, 1 Ethan de Groot
Chiefs
15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Daniel Rona, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Peniasi Malimali, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber (cc), 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Sam Cane (cc), 6 Pita Gus Sowakula, 5 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 4 Tupou Vaa’i, 3 George Dyer, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Aidan Ross
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Highlanders victory are as follows:
Betway 1.18
Gbets 1.19
Hollywoodbets 1.18
Odds comparison on the Highlanders handicap:
The complete odds on the Highlanders handicap:
Betway 1.90 (+13.5)
Gbets 1.88 (+13.5)
Hollywoodbets 1.88 (+13.5)
Predictions and Odds in details
There are decent returns on the Chiefs outright win but if you looking for better odds then we suggest the home team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.90 (+13.5), Gbets 1.88 (+13.5) and Hollywoodbets 1.88 (+13.5)
Other tips for the weekend (Predicted winners are in BOLD text)
Griquas vs Lions
Crusaders vs Western Force
Cheetahs vs WP
Bristol vs Gloucester
Rebels vs Brumbies
Toulouse vs Bordeaux Begles
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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.
