Hurricanes vs Waratahs Prediction: Hurricanes to blow Waratahs away

Having seen their perfect winning record spoiled by the Brumbies in Round 10, the Hurricanes will be looking for an immediate response when they host a struggling Waratahs side at Sky Stadium on Friday morning (09:05).

The Tahs have managed just one win in their last seven outings and face arguably their toughest challenge of the Super Rugby Pacific campaign so far with this daunting trip to Wellington.

Team News

Pouri Rakete-Stones, Devan Flanders and Peter Lakai have been brought into the pack for the Hurricanes, while Justin Sangster has been named on the bench.

Kianu Kereru-Symes makes his first start at hooker, while in the backs, Richard Judd has been given a starting role at scrum-half, with Brett Cameron in the No.10 jersey.

Riley Higgins and Billy Proctor are the centre partnership, while Bailyn Sullivan, Josh Moorby and Ruben Love form an exciting back three.

As for the Waratahs, injuries have plagued the Sydney outfit this season and they will be without Jed Holloway, Ned Hanigan and Tom Ross in the pack.

Hayden Thompson-Stringer replaces Ross in the front-row, where he will partner Julian Heaven and Harry Johnson-Holmes.

Fergus Lee-Warner returns in the second-row, while Hunter Ward gets his first start of the season at flanker.

Jake Gordon and Will Harrison make up the half-backs, with Lalakai Foketi and Izaia Perese in the centres.

The back three sees Triston Reilly, Dylan Pietsch and Mark Nawaqanitawase all start, with the latter in at full-back.

Match Odds

The Hurricanes are the overwhelming favourites to win on Friday at 1/25, while the Waratahs are 10/1 to cause one of the biggest upsets of the season.

A draw at Sky Stadium is available at 33/1, while the Waratahs to be surprising leaders at the half-time whistle is 4/1.

Hurricanes -24 (three-way handicap) @ 5/4

While both these teams head into this game on the back of defeats, they are worlds apart in terms of their development.

This Hurricanes side are serious contenders for the title, while the Waratahs have a battle on their hands to avoid the wooden spoon.

No team has scored more tries than the Hurricanes’ 46 in their nine games this season, while only the Blues have conceded fewer points at this stage of the campaign.

A one-sided affair is expected in Wellington on Friday and with the quality in their ranks, the Canes should be able to fall on the right side of the -24 handicap here.

Over 59.5 total points @ 5/6

Given the rate the Hurricanes have been scoring tries this season, Friday’s encounter should be a high-scoring affair.

The Canes have been averaging 35.4 points a game in attack and, with the Waratahs’ leaky defence, this game should see over 59.5 total points scored.

Rugby Union betting tips from Betfred Insights.