Melbourne Rebels vs Chiefs Prediction: Chiefs to turn on magic in Melbourne

As the highest-scoring side in Super Rugby Pacific this season, the Chiefs will take some stopping when they face the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park on Friday morning (10:35).

Scoring points at a frightening rate, the Chiefs look well-placed to challenge for the title once again this year, after falling just short in last season’s Grand Final.

The Rebels have been performing above expectations this year, with their five wins already one better than their total from the 2023 campaign.

However, the Chiefs will pose a huge challenge for this Rebels side, who might well struggle to keep in touching distance of the Hamilton outfit on Friday. Below you can read my Melbourne Rebels vs Chiefs prediction as well as the latest team news and odds.

Team News

Starting with the hosts, Isaac Kailea, Jordan Uelese and captain Sam Talakai will pack down in the front-row for the Rebels, with locks Tuaina Taii Tualima and Josh Canham in behind.

Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin and VaioliniI Ekuasi form a dynamic back-row, with the pair of Ryan Louwrens and Cater Gordon in the half-backs.

Nick Jooste will link up in the centres with Filipo Daugunu, while Darby Lancaster, Lachie Anderson and Jake Strachan make up the back-three.

As for the visitors, the Kiwi outfit will be boosted by the returns of All Blacks Damian McKenzie and Shaun Stevenson to the starting XV.

Fly-half McKenzie will partner Cortez Ratima in the half-backs, with Quinn Tupaea and Anton Lienert-Brown in the centres.

A lightning-quick back-three on the day will consist of Etene Nanai-Seturo and Emoni Narawa on the wings, with Stevenson in the No.15 jersey.

In the pack, Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho and George Dyer make up the front-row, with locks Tupou Vaa’i and Manaaki Selby-Rickit in the engine room. Skipper Luke Jacobson, Kaylum Boshier and Simon Parker form the back-row for the Chiefs.

Melbourne Rebels vs Chiefs Odds

The Rebels are 15/2 to cause a major upset and win Friday morning’s clash in Melbourne, while the Chiefs are 1/14 to head back across The Tasman with the victory.

A tie at AAMI Park is available at 25/1, while the Chiefs to win by a margin of 31-35 points is currently 9/1 - or a 10% chance.

Chiefs -22 handicap @ 13/10

With 426 points scored in their first 11 outings of the season, at an average of 38.7 points a game, the Chiefs’ attack is the most feared in Super Rugby Pacific right now.

McKenzie is enjoying another strong campaign in the No.10 jersey, with the All Blacks star pulling the strings and given the freedom to play, he can launch an attack from anywhere on the field.

A strong start from the visitors could see this turn into a one-sided affair in Melbourne.

The Chiefs have won nine of their last 10 games against the Rebels and, given their attacking prowess this season, the Hamilton outfit should fall on the right side of the -22 handicap on offer here.

You can read all our latest Super League Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights Super League content hub.