Tasman (Makos) vs Waikato
It’s still early days in the NPC as the two top teams in the Premiership clash. Waikato lost their last match while the defending champions Tasman are three wins from three. The Makos have lost a few players to the national team but they have shown incredible depth in their squad especially in the forwards. They have a great backline with players like Leicester Faingaanuku who was unstoppable in their last match. They are superbly led around the park by the ever impressive Mitch Hunt. Waikato on the other hand made too many basic errors in their match and the game management of their 10, Fletcher Smith left a lot to be desired. He is too classy a player to have two bad outings so we can expect him to bounce back in this game. Both theses sides enjoy running the ball so we can expect an exciting, open game
TIP: The Makos seem to have the edge in most departments but Waikato will look to pressure the home team’s scrumhalf. He looked shaky in the last match and Waikato has Xavier Roe at 9 who will test him. The other player that looked good for the Makos was Shannon Frizell. He will have a point to prove after being overlooked by the national selectors. He was back to his barnstorming best. As always the forwards will dictate who comes out on top and Tasman have the edge here. They got the two workhorses in Quentin Strange and Pari Pari Parkinson. These guys never tire and always provide the Makos with front foot ball. The bookies have Tasman as the favourites for this clash and I agree with this assessment. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.22, Playabets 1.19 and Sunbet 1.26
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Tasman (Makos) vs Waikato
- Tasman has won the last seven matches against Waikato.
- Tasman has never lost at home to Waikato.
- The last time Waikato beat Tasman was in 2012.
Latest results for both teams
Tasman beat Northland 48-29 in their last match while Waikato lost 20-19 to Canterbury..
PREDICTION
The Makos have an excellent record against Waikato and I expect that trend to continue. They are one of the few teams that offer a full package in the sense that they have very few if any weaknesses. Waikato will need to front up in the forwards or this match could be over very early. Waikato must bring their exciting backs into the game and it will be the job of their halfbacks to get the backline firing. Fletcher looks at his best when he attacks the line so he needs to run with the ball. His opposite number Mitch Hunt was in great running form against Northlands. He is deceptively quick and it was his line breaks that led to two tries. Leicester Faingaanuku playing in the 13 jersey will need to be watched closely and stopped before he gets into space. The overall class of the Tasman team makes me predict a home victory by more than 10 points.
- Probable Starting XVs
Tasman
15 Marshall T, 14 Telea M, 13 Faingaanuku L., 12 O’Maley T., 11 Tavatavanawai T, 10 Hunt M., 9 GrooMby J., 8 Frizell S., 7 Havili Talitui, S.6 Norris J,5 Strange Q, 4 Parkinson P. 3 Matenga S. 2 Moli S. 1 Tu’ungafasi I.
Waikato
15 Matty Lansdown, 14 Liam Coombes-Fabling, 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 12 Gideon Wrampling, 11 Mosese Dawai, 10 Fletcher Smith, 9 Xavier Roe, 8 Jack Lam, 7 Mitch Jacobson, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Laghlan McWhannell, 4 James Tucker, 3 Sefo Kautai, 2 Sekope Lopeti-Moli, 1 Ayden Johnston
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Tasman victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.22
Playabets 1.19
Sunbet 1.26
Odds comparison on the Tasman handicap victory :
The complete odds on the Tasman handicap victory:
Worldsportsbetting (-10.5) 1.90
Sunbet (-10.5) 1.84
Playabets (-10.5) 1.88
Predictions and Odds in details
The Waikato front row looked creaky against Canterbury and no doubt the Makos will target the scrums. The Makos are equally comfortable rumbling up the field with their big forwards as they are attacking with their backline stars. Waikato will look to Xavier Roe to give them that attacking impetus with his sniping runs around the rucks and mauls. The Makos have scored many tries through their driving mauls and Waikato’s maul defence must be at its best. One of the main reasons for their maul success is the lock pairing of Strange and Parkinson. They win clean ball at the lineout and are excellent in setting up the maul. There are poor returns for punters on the Tasman outright win therefore I suggest Tasman on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-10.5) 1.90, Sunbet (-10.5) 1.84 and Playabets (-10.5) 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.
