Highlanders vs Blues
The Highlanders welcome the Blues to the Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin for this opening round clash in the 2023 Super Rugby. This will be a repeat of last season’s quarter final when the Blues comprehensively won that encounter. The home team will be looking for a much better performance as they have a number of players back from long term injuries. The likes of Paripari Parkinson and Jona Nareki will significantly boost the Landers while the Blues were given a boost when Beauden Barrett was passed fit to play. The visitors will be looking to go one better than last season when they lost in the final to the Crusaders.
TIP: Both teams have tremendously exciting backlines but the battle must first be won in the forwards and this is an area that the Blues seem to have the edge. The scrums promise to be a titanic battle with the newly capped Ethan de Groot coming up against the experienced All Blacks props in Nepo Laulala and Ofa Tuungafasi. The Highlanders will be looking to spread the ball as this is their best chance of causing an upset. The bookies have the Blues as favourites and I’m also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.37, Gbets 1.35 and Hollywoodbets 1.38
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Highlanders vs Blues
- The Blues have won the last four matches against the Highlanders.
- The last time the Highlanders beat the Blues was in 2021.
Latest results for both teams
This is the first match of the 2023 season.
PREDICTION
One of the most intriguing battles will be between the two All Black number 9s, Folau Fakatava and Finlay Christie. They are fighting for the second scrumhalf berth in the national team behind Aaron Smith. The home team will be looking to regain the power from their rolling mauls as this is an area they struggled in last year and ironically this is a huge attacking weapon for the Blues. If the visitors can get good ball from their forwards, they have arguably the most dangerous backline in the competition with players like Rieko Ioane, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and the powerhouse Caleb Clarke. We are predicting a Blues win by more than 10 points.
Probable Starting XVs
Highlanders
15 Sam Gilbert, 14 Jonah Lowe, 13 Josh Timu, 12 Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Mitch Hunt, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Marino Mikaele Tu’u, 7 Billy Harmon (c), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Josh Dickson, 4 Paripari Parkinson, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Rhys Marshall, 1 Ethan de Groot
Blues
15 Stephen Perofeta, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papalii (c), 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Cameron Suafoa, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Ofa Tuungafasi
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Blues victory are as follows:
Betway 1.37
Gbets 1.35
Hollywoodbets 1.38
Odds comparison on the Blues handicap:
The complete odds on the Blues handicap:
Betway 1.85 (-7.5)
Gbets 1.88 (-7.5)
Hollywoodbets1.90 (-7.5)
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor returns on the Blues outright win therefore we suggest the away team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.85 (-7.5), Gbets 1.88 (-7.5) and Hollywoodbets1.90 (-7.5)
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.
