Moana Pasifika vs Blues Prediction: Blues to claim Auckland bragging rights
There’s an Auckland derby in Super Rugby Pacific to look forward to on Saturday morning (08:05) as rivals Moana Pasifika and the Blues prepare to do battle at North Harbour Stadium.
Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Moana Pasifika vs Blues prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the clash in Auckland.
Team News
Beginning with the hosts, Moana go with Tito Tuipulotu, Mills Sanerivi and Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou in the front row, with Tom Savage and Samuel Slade in the engine room.
Miracle Faiilagi, Ardie Savea and Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa start in the back row, with Jonathan Taumateine and Patrick Pellegrini combining in the half-backs.
It’s Danny Toala and Lalomilo Lalomilo in the centres, while Moana go with a back three of Kyren Taumoefolau, Tevita Ofa and William Havili.
As for the visitors, the Blues have Josh Fusitu'a, Ricky Riccitelli and Angus Ta'avao in their front row, with locks Josh Beehre and Patrick Tuipulotu in behind.
Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu make the back row, with Taufa Funaki and Beauden Barrett in the half-backs.
In the centres, the Blues have Xavi Taele and Rieko Ioane, while Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam and Corey Evans make up a formidable back three.
Moana Pasifika are the underdogs for Saturday’s contest at 13/5, implying a 27.8% probability, while the Blues are the 3/10 favourites to take the win.
A draw is available at 22/1, while the Blues to be leading at both half-time and full-time is currently 8/11 in the double result market.
Blues -11 handicap @ 6/5
The Blues struggled at the start of the season with their Super Rugby Pacific title defence, but an impressive 34-5 win at Fijian Drua has lifted Vern Cotter’s side into the top eight with two games of their campaign remaining.
Leaving it late for a play-off push is not recommended, and the Blues will likely need to be flawless in their remaining two games against Moana and the Waratahs.
What has significantly improved for the Blues in recent weeks is that their leaky defence has been shored up after struggling in the early weeks of the campaign.
Winning 40-19 in their game at the start of May against Western Force, the Blues romped to a 34-5 win in Fiji against Drua.
That improved work off the ball, combined with a clearly strong attack, means the Blues can still be a force to be reckoned with if they make the play-offs.
Cotter’s side should have little problem getting past Moana this weekend, having won all five of their meetings against the fellow Auckland outfit.
Winning by an average margin of 20.4 points per game during those five encounters, the Blues, with a -11 handicap, looks to be the way to go here
Odds correct at time of publishing.
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