Highlanders vs Blues Prediction: Blues to kick-start season
After suffering a rare home defeat to the Chiefs in the opening round, reigning Super Rugby Pacific champions the Blues can kick-start their title defence when they travel to Forsyth Barr Stadium to face the Highlanders on Saturday morning (06:35, Sky Sports Mix).
Tom McGarry provides his best bets in his Highlanders vs Blues prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds...
Team News
The Highlanders go with Ethan de Groot, Soane Vikena and Saula Ma’u in the front row, with locks Fabian Holland and Mitchell Dunshea in the engine room.
The back-row sees Sean Withy, Veveni Lasaqa and Hugh Renton all start, while the half-back pairing for the Highlanders is Folau Fakatava and Taine Robinson.
Timoci Tavatavanawai and Tanielu Tele'a start in the centres, with a back three of Caleb Tangitau, Sam Gilbert and Finn Hurley.
As for the Blues, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli and Marcel Ranata start in the front row, with Patrick Tuipulotu and Laghlan McWhannell in the second row.
It’s a back-row of Cameron Suafoa, Dalton Papalli’i and Hoskins Sotutu, with Finlay Christie and Harry Plummer in the half-backs.
AJ Lam and Rieko Ioane start in the centres, then it’s a frightening back three of Caleb Clarke, Mark Tele’a and Beauden Barrett for the Blues.
The Highlanders are 16/5 to get one over the reigning champions, while the Blues are 1/4 favourites to head back to Auckland with the win.
A draw on Saturday morning is available at 22/1, while over 55.5 total points in the game is currently 10/11.
Blues -14 handicap @ 11/10
Winning 11 of their last 12 Super Rugby Pacific games against the Highlanders, the Blues will have fond memories of this fixture ahead of their trip to Dunedin this weekend.
With three wins on their last four visits to Forsyth Barr Stadium, this has been a happy hunting ground for the Blues over recent years.
Hurting from their 25-14 defeat to the Chiefs in Auckland, the Blues look to be good value to cover the handicap against a Highlanders side that suffered a 37-36 defeat at the Waratahs in round one.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Blues over 37.5 total points @ 7/5
When it comes to their last four visits to Forsyth Barr Stadium, the Blues have scored an average of 38.3 points.
With a back three worthy of most Test teams across the globe in Clarke, Tele’a and Barrett, the Blues have outside backs that can terrorise a Highlanders’ defence that looked less than watertight in their opening game in Sydney.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Find more Rugby Union Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights
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