Couch Critic previews the Super Rugby Aotearoa match between the Chiefs and the Highlanders including best bets with @Olimp_SA
Chiefs vs Highlanders – Sunday 19 July @ 05:35, Hamilton
The Chiefs return from a weekend off and will attempt to start this second phase of the comp better than the first – having loss all four their games to date. The Highlanders are the nearly men having loss their last three matches despite being very much in the running in the death stages of the contests.
Team News
On the team front the Chiefs have opted to make some adjustments. Cruden is moved back to the bench whilst Anton Lienert-Brown could potentially freed up a bit more by being shifted out to 13. Bradley slater starts at hooker and will be tasked with doing a better job at lineout time than has been the case thus far. The big news for the Highlanders is Josh Ioane returning via the bench.
Tactics
The Chiefs will hope to improve in the second phase of the competition and they certainly still have a lethal back three. But for mind the Highlanders have shown they are better than the sum of their parts and are a team who really plays for each other. Yes, they could get burned in the outside backs but this Landers pack is full of mongrel and I am one of those believers in tight five dominance being crucial. Ash Dixon and his lineout has also been the most accurate of all the teams in the comp.
Verdict
The Highlanders need to pick themselves up one last time before they can head into a bye weekend. A loss will mean having to scrap it out with the Chiefs for last place which is hardly a scenario they will be keen for. I expect the visitors to get the job done by the narrowest of margins.
BETOLIMP BEST BETS
Time for the Highlanders to turn a “nearly” into a “W” off the back of a dominant pack of forwards.
Half Time / Full Time Margin – Highlanders (1-8) / Highlanders (1-12) @ 15.00
I’m expecting this one to be tight but the Highlanders will know they can’t afford a slow start again.
First Tryscorer: Ash Dixon 26.00
Let’s hold thumbs for the “rolling” thunder from an early driving maul tactic.
Last Tryscorer: Anton Lienert-Brown @ 23.00
Yes I am expecting the Highlanders to get the job done but hopefully a late ALB score is only a conciliation one. At 13 the All Black centre should be more involved in the action.
Anytime Tryscorer – Shannon Frizell @ 4.00
Frizell has already picked up a few meat pies and is in very good form at present.
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(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)
Couch Critic
