Blues vs Moana Pasifika Prediction: Feleti a fair shout at Eden Park
Local bragging rights will be at stake on Saturday morning (05:35, Sky Sports Action) as the Blues face Moana Pasifika in a Super Rugby Pacific showdown at Eden Park.
Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Blues vs Moana Pasifika prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the clash in Auckland.
Blues vs Moana Pasifika Betting Tips
*odds correct at the time of publishing
Team News
Starting with the Blues, Josh Fusitu'a, Ricky Riccitelli and Angus Ta’avao begin in the front row, with Patrick Tuipulotu and Josh Beehre in the second row.
Anton Segner, Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu complete the pack, while half-backs Finlay Christie and Beauden Barrett will be marshalling the troops around the field.
AJ Lam and Rieko Ioane start in the centres, with a back three made up of Caleb Clarke, Mark Tele’a and Corey Evans.
As for Moana, Abraham Pole, Mills Sanerivi and Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou start in the front row, with locks Samuel Slade and Allan Craig in behind.
Miracle Faiilagi, Ardie Savea and Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa start in the back row, with Melani Matavao and Jackson Garden-Bachop in the half-backs.
Danny Toala and Lalomilo Lalomilo start in the centres, while Moana go with a back three of Pepesana Patafilo, Kyren Taumoefolau and William Havili.
The Blues are 1/5 favourites to claim the win on Saturday, while Moana Pasifika are 4/1 underdogs to claim the scalp at Eden Park.
A draw is priced at 22/1, while Moana to be leading at the half-time whistle is available at 12/5.
Moana Pasifika +13 handicap @ 1/1
The Blues might be the reigning Super Rugby Pacific champions but they have looked like a shadow of last season’s team that lifted the trophy.
With just two wins in their opening seven games of the season, only Fijian Drua sit below the Blues in the table.
Next, Vern Cotter’s side face a Moana side that have won three of their opening seven games and are the leading points scorers in the competition after the first seven matches of the campaign.
Scoring 274 points at an average of 39.1 points per game, Moana, with a +13 handicap, appeals in this one.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou anytime tryscorer @ 13/2
We don’t witness props scoring hat-tricks in Super Rugby Pacific often, but that’s exactly what rising star Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou did in Moana’s 45-28 victory over the Waratahs last time out.
The 22-year-old front-rower clearly has an eye for the tryline, and his explosive power makes him a tough man to stop from close range.
On the back of that impressive display against the Tahs, Sae-Ta'ufo'ou to be back on the scoresheet with at least one try on Saturday catches the eye at 13/2.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Rugby Union Betting Tips from Betfred Insights
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