Couch Critic nails up his Super Rugby Aotearoa betting tips for the match between the Highlanders and the Chiefs which takes place on 13th June
Highlanders vs Chiefs – Saturday 13 June Dunedin
Rugby Union is back! Just having rugby back on television screens will have plenty of rugby fans incredibly excited but not only is rugby just back, the first to offer us union will be the imperious Kiwis. Here is what I expect from Week 1 of Super Rugby Aotearoa from a betting perspective.
Team News
Most teams will enter the new comp refreshed after the long break, yet the Chiefs have plenty of injury worries. They will basically start with a complete second choice tight five. Angus Ta’avao, Atu Moli and Nathan Harris are all out whilst there will of course be no Brodie in the 2nd row for the visitors and Michael Allardice is also nursing an injury. With Sam Cane missing as leader as well it is somewhat strange to see Warren Gatland leave the experience of Aaron Cruden on the bench. The Chiefs coach will be hoping the All Black playmaker can help lift the team for a final push in the last quarter, but we will have to wait and see whether this gamble pays off.
The Highlanders will revert back to Josh Ioane at flyhalf outside the general that is Aaron Smith. Ash Dixon leads the team from hooker. Shannon Frizell is one of the candidates to fill the current void as blindside flanker in New Zealand rugby and he needs to have a strong campaign both for his own prospects and the welfare of his team. Watch out for sevens star, Vilimoni Koroi making an impact off the bench for the home side.
Tactics
There should be a fanatical atmosphere cheering on the home side under the Forsyth Barr Stadium roof with the stands filled to the rafters. The home side will try and turn this into an arm-wrestle, looking to exploit the more unsettled and inexperienced Chiefs tight five. When opportunities do eventually appear Thompson, Nareki and Koroi have the finishing ability to put the hurt on the visitors. The Chiefs for their part will try and diffuse the early pressure upfront as well as silence the Zoo before Cruden takes up the task of steering the Waikato men to an opening game “w”.
Verdict
In front of a packed home stadium expect the Highlanders to come out fighting but perhaps run out of puff in the final quarter with the Chiefs picking up the victory with a strong final quarter.
BETOLIMP BEST BETS
First Tryscorer: Ash Dixon @ 24.00
The prospect of Dixon getting himself in the boot off a rolling maul is just too good to pass up.
Last Tryscorer: Etene Nanai-Seturo @ 12.50
The hot-stepping Nanai-Seturo is named on the bench. Against a tired defense he could do serious damage in the final 2o minutes or so with the creativity of Cruden and Damian McKenzie around him.
First Half Handicap: Highlanders +3.5 @ 1.77
Keeping with the theme of expecting a fast start from the motivated home side.
Half Time/Full Time: Highlanders / Chiefs @ 5.20
Strong Highlanders start but in the end the skill of some of the Chiefs dangermen will prove too much.
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(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)
Couch Critic
