Waratahs vs Chiefs
The final league match of SR Trans-Tasman sees the Waratahs locking horns with the Chiefs. Both these teams are missing their star players in Jake Gordon and Damian Mckenzie. The Chiefs still have plenty of talent on their team with All Blacks aplenty and a host of other quality players. The same can’t be said of the hapless Waratahs, they are on a horror run of twelve consecutive losses and this seems destined to continue against a very good Chiefs team. They biggest problem is their inability to clear their line from kickoffs and their defence is nonexistence. Every week they spend the week working on their defence but come game night and they ship 50 plus points again. As professional players they have to take responsibility and show some fight and heart when defending. I feel this is the match that they will show a better defence and they have too otherwise this Chiefs team will rack up a cricket score. The Waratahs have more than 15 players on the injured list and will hope the replacement players offer the hunger missing for so long. The Chiefs have one of the best scrums in the competition while the Waratahs have their third choice front row due to injuries. This will create a major advantage to the Chiefs so the Waratahs must avoid too many scrums. The loss of Gordon is the biggest blow as he is the heart and soul of this team especially on attack. This is the perfect opportunity for others to step up and show their skills. The match should be an open running affair as both teams will look to entertain in their final match of the season.
TIP: The Waratahs will have new signing Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco starting his first match and will be hoping that he can show off his renowned attacking skills and probably more importantly his defensive skills. He will form a very impressive back row with Jack Dempsey and Lachlan Swinton. Their battle with the Chiefs all-star back row will be one of the highlights of the match. We know the dangers the Chiefs pose in attack with their offloading game so the Waratahs must treasure the ball when they get it. The Chiefs will once again look to skipper Brad Weber to spark their impressive backline while conversely the Waratahs will hope Will Harrison can do the same for the home team. The bookies have the Chiefs as heavy favourites and on current form that is the right prediction. The best odds on the Chiefs victory are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.07, Playabets 1.03 and Sunbet 1.09
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Waratahs vs Chiefs
- In the last six meeting between the sides there have been three wins apiece.
- The last three meetings have been won by the Chiefs.
- The Chiefs have only beaten the Waratahs once before in Sydney.
Latest results for both teams
The Waratahs lost their last match against the Highlanders 59-23 while the Chiefs beat the Rebels 36-26.
PREDICTION
The Chiefs team has been one of the form teams this season until their loss to the Reds broke that momentum but they have bounced back with two victories. The Waratahs playing at home will want to give their long suffering fans something to cheer about. The home team needs to get the ball into their best attacking weapons namely their centre pairing of Izaia Perese and Lalakai Foketi. These guys have performed exceptionally well especially in a team that is losing each week. Perese in particular must be pushing for Wallaby selection. His battle with All Black centre Anton Lienert-Brown should be blockbuster. There has been so much said of the Waratahs weak defence but I feel this could be the week that they finally step up. I don’t expect them to beat the Chiefs but it will be closer than many bookies think. I predict a Chiefs win by 16 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Waratahs
15 Jack Maddocks, 14 Alex Newsome, 13 Izaia Perese, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 10 Will Harrison, 9 Jake Gordon (captain), 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, 6 Lachlan Swinton, 5 Jack Whetton, 4 Jeremy Williams, 3 Darcy Breen, 2 David Porecki, 1 Andrew Tuala.
Chiefs
15 Kaleb Trask, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Bailyn Sullivan, 10 Bryn Gatland, 9 Xavier Roe, 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Pita Gus Sowakula, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Reuben O’Neill.
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Chiefs victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.07
Playabets 1.03
Sunbet 1.09
Odds comparison on the Waratahs handicap:
The complete odds on the Waratahs handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (+21.5) 1.90
Sunbet (+20.5) 1.94
Playabets (+20.5) 1.88
Predictions and Odds in details
The Waratahs have seen an exodus of the best players over the last few seasons and this has been compounded by the union not replacing those stars. It was very poor decision to think that these young inexperienced players could fill the boots of those that departed. They have also had a terrible injury crisis but all this said they have no excuses about their awful defence week in and week out. The Chiefs attack will be licking their lips coming into this contest as they love running the ball from anywhere on the field. The Waratahs have been good in attack so we sure to see another high scoring match. In times when the team is going through a long losing sequence like the Waratahs it’s when their senior players need to come to the fore. The likes of Lachlan Swinton and Jack Dempsey need to show the form that made them Wallabies and this could inspire the youngsters in the team. The bookies aren’t offering much on the Chiefs victory therefore I’m suggesting the Waratahs on the handicap. The best odds on the Waratahs handicap are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (+21.5) 1.90, Sunbet (+20.5) 1.94 and Playabets (+20.5) 1.88
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.
