Highlanders vs Fijian Drua Prediction: Highlanders can add to Drua’s woes

Sitting rock-bottom of the Super Rugby Pacific table, things won’t get any easier for Fijian Drua on Saturday morning (08:05, Sky Sports Mix) as they make the trip to New Zealand to face the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Highlanders vs Fijian Drua prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the clash in Dunedin.

Rugby Union Odds

Team News

Starting with the hosts, the Highlanders have a front row of Ethan de Groot, Henry Bell and Sefo Kautai, with locks Will Stodart and Fabian Holland in the engine room.

Oliver Haig, Veveni Lasaqa and Hugh Renton start in the back row, with Folau Fakatava and Cameron Millar in the half-backs.

Timoci Tavatavanawai and Thomas Umaga-Jensen start in the centres, while the Highlanders have a back three of Jona Nareki, Taniela Filimone and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Moving onto the visitors, Drua go with Haereiti Hetet, Mesulame Dolokoto and Mesake Doge in the front row, with locks Mesake Vocevoce and Isoa Nasilasila in behind.

Joseva Tamanu, Isoa Tuwai and Elia Canakaivata complete pack, while Simione Kuruvoli and Isaiah Armostronh-Ravula starts in the half-backs.

Drua go with Inia Tabuavou and Iosefo Masi in the centres, with a back three of Ponipate Loganimasi, Selestino Ravutaumada and Caleb Muntz.

Highlanders vs Fijian Drua Odds

The Highlanders are 3/10 favourites to secure the win on home soil, while Drua are 11/4 to head back to Fiji with the victory.

A draw is available at 22/1, while the Highlanders to win both halves is priced at 13/10.

Highlanders -10 handicap @ 21/20

The Highlanders have hardly set the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific alight this season but they should have enough quality to add to Drua’s woes this weekend.

Drua are a formidable opponent in Suva but when they travel, they struggle to replicate the same level of performance.

The Highlanders have won the last three meetings with Drua, with an average winning margin of 24 points per game.

It would be little surprise to see this winning trend for the Highlanders to continue in Dunedin this weekend and the hosts with a -10 handicap gets the nod here.

Jona Nareki anytime tryscorer @ 5/6

Scoring in his last two games for the Highlanders, Jona Nareki finds himself in good form going into Saturday’s contest.

The Fijian-born winger, who has played for New Zealand at under-20 level, is a tough man to stop in open space and Nareki can make it three games on the spin when he’s dotted over for the Highlanders.

Rugby Union Betting Tips from Betfred Insights