Highlanders vs Hurricanes Prediction: Hosts no match for ‘Canes in Dunedin

There is an all-Kiwi affair to look forward to in Round 6 of Super Rugby Pacific on Friday morning (06:05 GMT, Sky Sports+) as the Highlanders get set to host rivals the Hurricanes at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Below are my Highlanders vs Hurricanes predictions, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the encounter in Dunedin.

Highlanders vs Hurricanes Odds

The Highlanders are available at 11/5 for the win, while the Hurricanes are 2/5 to head back to Wellington with the victory and the bragging rights.

A draw in Dunedin is 20/1, while under 56.5 total points at Forsyth Barr Stadium is currently 20/21.

Team News

Starting with the hosts, the Highlanders go with Ethan de Groot, Jack Taylor and Angus Ta'avao in the front row, with locks Oliver Haig and Te Kamaka Howden in behind.

Sean Withy, Lucas Casey and Hugh Renton start in the back row, while Folau Fakatava and Reesjan Pasitoa pair up in the half-backs.

Timoci Tavatavanawai and Jonah Lowe start in the centres, while the Highlanders go with a back three of Jona Nareki, Caleb Tangitau and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

As for the Hurricanes, the visitors have opted for Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Pasilio Tosi in the front row, with locks Caleb Delany and Warner Dearns in the second row.

Devan Flanders, Peter Lakai and Brayden Iose complete the pack, with Cam Roigard and Ruben Love pairing up in the half-backs.

Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor start in the centres, while the Hurricanes have a back three of Fehi Fineanganofo, Josh Moorby and Callum Harkin.

Hurricanes -8 handicap @ 1/1

This rivalry has been very much one-sided in recent years, with the Hurricanes currently on an impressive nine-game winning streak against the Highlanders.

The 'Canes will go flying into this game on the back of a 31-23 home win over Western Force last time out, while the Highlanders were beaten 29-18 on the road at the Crusaders in Round 5.

Losing nine of their last 10 games against fellow Kiwi opponents, it's hard to see the Highlanders getting anything out of this game and the Hurricanes are backed to cover the spread.

Cam Roigard anytime tryscorer @ 11/10

There seems to be something about this game that brings out the best in Cam Roigard.

The New Zealand scrum-half has managed to score at least one try in each of his last four encounters with the Highlanders and the 'Canes' No.9 looks to be good value in the anytime tryscorer market to keep that run going on Friday morning.

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