Reds vs Moana Pasifika Prediction: Reds to cover in Brisbane

Having been forced to watch the opening weekend from the comfort of their own homes, the Reds finally get to start their Super Rugby Pacific season on Friday (08:35, Sky Sports Mix) morning when they host Moana Pasifika at Suncorp Stadium.

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Reds vs Moana Pasifika prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the showdown in Brisbane.

Team News

Sef Fa’agase, Richie Asiata and Massimo De Lutiis start in the front row for the Reds, with locks Josh Canham and Ryan Smith in the engine room.

Seru Uru, Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson will cover the back row, with skipper Tate McDermott and Tom Lynagh in the half-backs.

Hunter Paisaami and Josh Flook form the centres, with a back three made up of Filipo Daugunu, Tim Ryan and Jock Campbell.

Rugby Union Odds

As for Moana, James Lay, Millennium Sanerivi and Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou make up the front row, with Samuel Slade and Allan Craig in the second row.

Miracle Faiilagi, Sione Havili Talitui and skipper Ardie Savea make up the back row, with Jonathan Taumateine and Jackson Garden-Bachop pulling the strings in the half-backs.

The centres consist of Lalomilo Lalomilo and Pepesana Patafilo, with a back three of Kyren Taumoefloau, Solomon Alaimalo and William Havili.

Reds vs Moana Pasifika Odds

The Reds are the firm favourites to make a winning start to the season at 1/6, while Moana Pasifika are 9/2, or an 18.2% chance, to cause an upset at Suncorp Stadium.

In what could well be a high-scoring affair in Queensland, over 63.5 total points is currently 4/5.

Reds -18 handicap @ 21/20

Having suffered a heartbreaking 45-44 at the hands of Western Force in their opening game in Perth, Moana have a quick turnaround for their clash in Brisbane.

The Reds will be fresh and ready to hit the ground running in the competition and their experienced side should have enough quality to come out on top on home soil this week.

Moana’s defensive woes on the road have been well documented and, having shipped 45 points against last season’s rock-bottom-placed Force, the Reds look well-priced to overcome the -18 handicap at Suncorp.

Tate McDermott (RED) anytime tryscorer @ 7/5

Sniping around the breakdown and capable of getting on the end of tries with his smart support lines, Reds skipper Tate McDermott catches the eye in the anytime tryscorer market.

The Australia scrum-half scored seven tries for the Reds last season, including a brace in their last competitive game in the quarter-final defeat to the Chiefs.

Looking to pick up where he left off, McDermott is worth considering to start his 2025 season with a tryscoring performance on Friday morning.

Find more Rugby Union Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights