Waratahs vs Highlanders Prediction: Tahs to cover

Super Rugby Pacific action gets underway on Friday morning (08:35, Sky Sports Mix) and last season’s strugglers the Waratahs look capable of making a winning start when they host the Highlanders at Allianz Stadium.

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Waratahs vs Highlanders prediction piece, as well as all the important team news and match odds for this showdown in Sydney.

Team News

Angus Bell, David Porecki and Taniela Tupou start in the Tahs’ front row, with Miles Amatosero and Hugh Sinclair in the engine room.

Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson and Rob Leota back up the back row, with the combination of Jake Gordon and Tane Edmed in the half-backs.

Joey Walton and Lalakai Foketi start in the centres, with the back three comprising of Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

As for the Highlanders, Ethan de Groot, Soane Mikaele Vikena and Saula Ma’u start in the front row, with locks Fabian Holland and Mitchell Dunshea in behind.

Lui Neata, Sean Withy and High Genton start in the back row, with the half-backs seeing Nathan Hastie and Taine Robinson combining.

It’s Timoci Tavatavanawai and Tanielu Tele’a in the centres, with Caleb Tamgitau, Michael Manson and Sam Gilbert in the back three.

Waratahs vs Highlanders Odds

The Waratahs are 2/5 to make a winning start to the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, with the Highlanders at 11/5, or a 31.3% chance, to head back across The Tasman with the victory.

A draw at Allianz Stadium is available at 18/1, while the Waratahs to win both halves on Friday morning is currently 6/4.

Waratahs -9 handicap @ 11/10

Last season was one to forget for the Waratahs as they finished rock-bottom of the standings, with just two wins from their 14 games.

However, with strong recruitment over the off-season, there is growing expectation that Waratahs will challenge higher up the table this term.

They have a good record in this fixture against the Highlanders on home soil, having won three of their last four Super Rugby Pacific games against the Dunedin outfit at Allianz Stadium.

With renewed optimism and a back three comprising of Australia internationals in Jorgensen, Kellaway and Suaalii, the home side are good value to cover the spread here.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii Anytime Tryscorer @ 8/5

The new poster boy of Australian rugby union will kick-start his Super Rugby career this week, as Suaalii prepares to make his debut for the Tahs.

This rugby league convert has already played Test rugby for the Wallabies and he looks like he could be some player in the 15-man form of the game going forward.

Playing at full-back against the Highlanders on Friday, all 6ft 5in and 98kgs of Suaalii will be tough to stop out in the wide channels and he’s well-priced to score a try on debut.

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