Bay of Plenty vs Waikato
Bay of Plenty face Waikato is what will be one of the most emotional matches after the death of Sean Wainui. Bay of Plenty knows that they need to win to stay in contention for a playoff position although they have two games in hand over some of their rivals. Waikato will be desperate to end a run of three defeats. Bay won their last match against Wellington 33-32 while Waikato lost 41-14 to Hawkes Bay. The reason for Waikato poor form coincides with the injury Fletcher Smith has picked up. Since then he isn’t fully fit and has not played his usual running game. Bay only know one way to play and that is too run the ball at every opportunity. This approach suits them perfectly as they have one of the best backlines in the league. Waikato also enjoy running the ball so we can expect plenty of exciting rugby
TIP: Both teams have solid forward packs but Bay seen to have the edge in this department and scrum time will be a battle royale between the front rows. I am looking forward to the halfbacks of Bay unleashing runners like Chase Tiatia and their new star Fijian flyer Onisi Ratave. He has lit up this competition and no doubt has been one of the best new comers in the league. Talking about new comers Waikato has their own pocket dynamo in Liam Coombes-Fabling. He is small in stature but big in heart and is the leading try scorer this season. The bookies have Bay as favourites in this match and I’m also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.50, Playabets 1.41 and Sunbet 1.46
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Bay of Plenty vs Waikato
- In the last five meetings there have been three wins for Bay and two for Waikato.
- Bay has never won two consecutive home matches against Waikato.
- Bay beat Waikato 40-14 the last time these sides met.
Latest results for both teams
Bay won their last match 33-32 to Wellington while Waikato lost their last match 41-14.
- PREDICTION
I’m sure every player on the field will be emotional but I can expect the Bay players to leave it all out there on the field for their great mate Wainui. I am sure that Bay will look to run the Waikato players ragged as they looked very tired in their last match against Hawkes Bay. Bay will look to their outstanding 10 Caleb Trask to control the proceedings but more importantly to ignite the dangerous backline Bay possess the best counter attackers in the league and Waikato will have to ensure when they kick they must be accurate or else players like Tiatia and Ratave will make them pay. One of the highlights for me will the clash of the young flyhalf’s and we all hoping to see a titanic battle. The desire from the Bay team will see them to victory by more than 10 points
- Probable Starting XVs
Bay of Plenty
1 Aidan Ross (C),2 Nathan Vella,3 Jeff Thwaites,4 Justin Sangster,5 Manaaki Selby-Rickit,6 Angus Scott-Young,7 Mitch Karpik,8 Whetukamokamo Douglas,9 Luke Campbell,10 Kaleb Trask,11 Onisi Ratave,12 Inga Finau,14 Emoni Narawa,15 Chase Tiatia
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 Bay Of Plenty victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.50
Playabets 1.41
Sunbet 1.46
Odds comparison on the Bay Of Plenty handicap victory :
The complete odds on the Bay Of Plenty handicap victory:
Worldsportsbetting (-5.5) 1.90
Sunbet (-5.5) 1.83
Playabets (-5.5) 1.83
Predictions and Odds in details
Bay may have exciting players in their backline but their real strength lies in their loose trio. They have Angus Scott-Young, Mitch Karpik and Whetukamokamo Douglas who all excellent players with multiple years of Super Rugby experience. They will face a stiff battle with Waikato’s Jack Lam and Mitch Jacobsen. This is shaping up to the highlight of this match. The overall quality in the Bay team makes it difficult to see anything else other than a home victory. There are not great returns on the Bay outright victory therefore I suggest the home team on the handicap.The complete odds on the Bay Of Plenty handicap victory: Worldsportsbetting (-5.5) 1.90, Sunbet (-5.5) 1.83 and Playabets (-5.5) 1.83
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.
