Waratahs vs Chiefs Prediction: Angered Chiefs set to rebound

Expect a Chiefs reaction after their Hurricanes loss – with the Waratahs as collateral damage! 

Our rugby union expert Alex Cox has previewed the Super Rugby clash starting at 10:35 BST on Friday morning and shared his Waratahs vs Chiefs predictions.

This Trans-Tasman clash in Sydney on Friday is an enticing fixture, with both sides maintaining aspirations of moving up the Super Rugby table. Both sides are well rested after a bye-week so hopefully we some fireworks.

The Waratahs are currently down in ninth position - outside of the playoff spots - however a win here could propel them up into seventh. In their last game out, they beat the off-colour Crusaders in Golden Point, ending a run of five consecutive defeats.

The Waratahs have been very up-and-down this season, at times playing some superb rugby but they produce unexplainable moments in equal measures. Their lack of consistency has meant they’ve not reached a particularly high level this season, and the top sides have been able to dispatch of them – as we saw recently in Canberra.

The Chiefs were the clear outright favourites to win Super Rugby before the season began, however with three losses after eight rounds, there is some doubt as to whether they can take the silverware.

They have had two weeks of training to reflect on their 13 point loss to the Hurricanes and have named an extremely strong side to get back on track – with their eyes firmly on securing a minimum top four spot. With McKenzie in control, I’m expecting a strong Chiefs performance and to put some points on the board in Sydney.

Team News

Waratahs

Darren Coleman has shuffled his side a bit this week. Thompson-Stringer, Heaver and Johnson-Holmes fill the front-row spots, with Sinclair and Amatosero promoted from the reserve spots to combine in the second-row. That leaves the impressive Swinton alongside Gamble and Hanigan in the back-row.  Coleman will be wanting to see an impact off the bench from Holloway and Gleeson too.

Skipper Gordon continues in the 9 shirt with Edmed at 10 again. The prodigal return of Will Harrison has had some calling for him to start, but Coleman continues to manage his minutes meaning he’ll be coming off the bench again.

Foketi and Walton are the midfield duo this week, meaning Perese settles for a spot on the bench. Reilly is on the left-wing, and after being left out vs Crusaders, Nawaqanitawase will be starting again on the right-wing, leaving Jorgensen at full-back.

Chiefs

A scary looking Chiefs side have travelled to Sydney to right the wrongs of their Hurricanes loss. Ross, Taukei’aho and Dyer will be in the front-row, with the dynamic Tupou and Vaa’i in as Lock partners. Finau, Boshier and Sititi will be the back-row duo – the latter is the latest cab off the rank of explosive ball carriers coming out of New Zealand.

Ratima and McKenzie will partner as half-backs – who are each capable of producing line-breaks at the drop of a hat. With an embarrassment of riches in the midfield, the Chiefs will have Pohipi and Lienart-Brown together in the centres. And the back-three speed merchants that plan on running rings around desperate Waratahs defenders are Nanai-Seturo, Narawa and Stevenson.

Chiefs over 35.5 points @ 5/6

The Chiefs have won the last seven encounters between these sides, covering this team total in six of those matches. With a strong Chiefs pack and back-line, they have threats across the park to keep the Waratahs defence guessing, which will ultimately lead to more space and time for the Chiefs to expose.

Recently the Waratahs defence has been found wanting, conceding 146 points in their last four games, meaning an average of 36.5 points per game. I believe the Chiefs will exploit that defensive weakness and score closer to 40 points to cover this team total line.

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