Fijian Drua vs Melbourne Rebels prediction: Drua can secure finals spot in Suva

With the news confirming that the Rebels will not be playing in Super Rugby Pacific next season, it’s under difficult circumstances that the Melbourne outfit head to Fijian Drua on Saturday morning (03:05 kick-off) for their final game of the regular season. 

The Rebels have performed admirably this season and will be playing finals rugby in June no matter the result at Churchill Park in Suva. 

Meanwhile, Drua know they need a win to guarantee they too will be in the finals and the hosts will need to be ruthless this weekend despite the Rebels' plight. 

Team News 

Saturday is a big occasion for prop Taniela Tupou as he is set to make his 100th Super Rugby appearance in the Rebels' front row. 

Mason Gordon will make his starting debut at full-back, with familiar faces of Darby Lancaster and Andrew Kellaway alongside him in the back three. 

Josh Kemeny returns at blindside flanker, while fly-half Carter Gordon and centre David Feliuai have also been called back into the starting XV. 

As for Fijian Drua, head coach Mick Byrne has made five changes to the starting XV from the side that suffered a 39-3 defeat to the Highlanders last time out. 

Haereiti Hetet comes back in at loosehead, while Leone Rotuisolia returns in the second row. 

Skipper Meli Derenalag's return to the starting XV is another significant boost for the hosts, while Frank Lomani is back at scrum-half inside fly-half Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula.  

Waqa Nalaga has been moved on to the left wing, with Selestino Ravutaumada on the right. 

Kemu Valetini and Iosefo Masi start in the centres, with Ilaisa Droasese at full-back. 

Fijian Drua vs Melbourne Rebels Odds

Fijian Drua are favourites at 1/5 to win, while the Rebels are 18/5 to head back to Melbourne with the victory. A draw on the day in Suva is available at 25/1. 

Fijian Drua -15 handicap @ 21/20  

In the last four meetings between these sides, the home team has run out the winner and the trend might well continue on Saturday. 

Managing to win eight of their last nine games on Fijian soil, Drua have become a formidable force at home and are set to land the win that would secure their place in the finals. 

The -15 handicap should prove no obstacle either for the hosts, who are well priced to come out on top despite the deficit. 

71 or more total points @ 11/4

In a game that could well be littered with tries from two attacking sides, this should be a high-scoring encounter at Churchill Park. 

Should the Rebels go down to some early tries in Suva, this might well be a one-sided affair and backing a total weigh-in of 71 or more points in the match is certainly worth considering at 11/4. 

Rugby Union Betting Tips from Betfred Insights.