Blues vs Waratahs Prediction: Tahs to push the Blues at Eden Park

The battle to secure a top-six finish in the Super Rugby Pacific will go right down to the wire, and both the Blues and the Waratahs have work to do on Saturday morning (05:35, Sky Sports Action) at Eden Park if they are to reach the finals.

Below are my Blues vs Waratahs predictions, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for this encounter in Auckland.

Team News

Starting with the Blues, the hosts have opted for Joshua Fusitu’a, Ricky Riccitelli and Marcel Renata in the front row, with locks Patrick Tuipulotu and Laghlan McWhannell in behind.

Anton Segner, Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu complete the pack, with Finlay Christie and Beauden Barrett in the half-backs.

AJ Lam and Rieko Ioane start in the centres, while Caleb Clarke, Mark Tele’a and Corey Evans form a frightening back three.

Rugby Union Odds

As for the Waratahs, the visitors go with Angus Bell, David Precki and Taniela Tupou in the front row, while locks Fergus Lee-Warner and Miles Amatosero are starting in the engine room.

Hugh Sinclair skippers the side in a back row that also includes Jamie Adamson and Langi Gleeson.

Teddy Wilson and Jack Bowen start in the half-backs, with Joey Walton and Henry O’Donnell in the centres.

Triston Reilly, Andrew Kellaway and Lawson Creighton complete the Tahs’ backline for Saturday’s must-win game.

Blues vs Waratahs Odds

The Blues are the firm favourites at 1/18 to claim the win on Saturday, while the Waratahs are the 10/1 underdogs to head back across the Tasman with the victory.

A draw is available at 25/1, while the Tahs are 4/1 to be leading at the half-time whistle.

Waratahs +16.5 handicap @ 8/5

Winning all of their last 10 games against the Waratahs, the Blues have been the dominant force when it comes to this fixture, and all signs suggest they should come out on top again at Eden Park this weekend.

However, the average winning margin across those last 10 encounters has been 13.4 points, and this improving Waratahs side can run the Blues closer than some might imagine.

The Blues have conceded an average of 24.9 points per game this season, and the Waratahs have a backline that can cause the hosts problems at Eden Park.

Granted, the Blues should claim the victory that will give them a chance at finishing in the top six; however, the Tahs can make the Auckland outfit work hard for the win.

Triston Reilly anytime tryscorer @ 11/5

One man capable of hurting this Blues defence is in-form Waratahs winger Triston Reilly.

The rugby league convert has managed to score seven tries in his last nine Super Rugby matches, including one in each of his last two games.

Scoring one try in each of his last two games against Kiwi opposition, Reilly is good value at 21/10 to bag another this weekend in this all-or-nothing encounter.

Find more Rugby Union Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights