Waratahs vs Fijian Drua Prediction: Much-changed Drua can go close again

Waratahs and Fijian Drua will lock horns on Friday morning (08:35, live on Sky Sports Action). Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Waratahs vs Fijian Drua prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds.

Rugby Union Odds

Bottom of the ladder last year, the Waratahs are already halfway to matching their win tally after beating the Highlanders 37-36 in their 2025 opener.

They then had a bye for round two but are back in action on Friday against the winless Fijian Drua.

The Fijians may yet to get a victory, but they are certainly fun to watch, opening for the year by losing 36-32 to the Brumbies at home after Declan Meredith converted Luke Reimer's late try.

History repeated itself last week in Napier when Harry Godfrey added the extras to his own score to help the Hurricanes edge a 38-34 success.

Collecting losing bonus points is hardly the way to go for a team that has made the play-offs in the last two years and Glen Jackson is still searching for his first win in charge of the Pacific outfit.

They won their last meeting with the Waratahs in Golden Point but have never beaten Friday's opponents in Sydney and have conceded at least 32 points in all five previous meetings.

Team News

Joseph Sua'ali'i misses out through a toe injury, with fellow Wallaby Andrew Kellaway switching to full-back and Darby Lancaster coming in on the wing.

There is also a debut for centre Henry O'Donnell, who replaces Joey Walton, who has a groin issue.

The Drua have made 10 changes in all, including a return to the XV for fly-half Caleb Muntz, while hooker Tevita Ikanivere is aiming to score a try for the third straight match between these teams.

Waratahs vs Fijian Druas Odds

The Waratahs are 3/10 to go two-from-two in 2025, with the Drua 13/5 to get off the mark and a tie 20/1.

Fijian Drua +6 handicap @ 7/5

It may not be as cliche as in past decades, but Fijian players still struggle to play 80 minutes, as shown by their two late defeats in 2025.

There is much to like about Jackson's team, with Muntz among the best running fly-halves in both Super Rugby Pacific and the world.

Number eight Elia Canakaivata has made 16 dominant carries this season, the joint-most with the Chiefs' Quinn Tupaea. They have also played the ball wide of the ruck more than any other side, demonstrating their preference for exciting rugby.

However, there are still obvious flaws, especially in defence and with their fitness and they have a poor record in Australia, losing nine in a row in the country.

The Waratahs had a horrendous 2024 but made a change at the helm, bringing in Dan McKellar after just a single season at Leicester and were also boosted by the signing of superstar Sua'ali'i from rugby league.

Sua'ali'i misses out on Friday's game through a toe injury but the one-point win over the Highlanders will have brought plenty of belief to the squad and was their second game in a row to have been decided by a point after their 27-26 round 15 to the Reds in 2024.

A winning margin bet might be an option but considering both teams' recent results, including the Drua's Golden Point success last March, the price for the visitors with a +6 handicap looks like a sensible way to swing.

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