The Chiefs host the Force in Round 14 of Super Rugby Pacific in Hamilton on Saturday and the visitors have suffered two hidings from New Zealand opposition in recent weeks.
Chiefs v Force, Saturday 21st May, Hamilton, KO 06:35 (South African time)
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Refs: Ben O’Keeffe , Dan Waenga
TMO: Chris Hart
Weather Forecast – Hamilton
Chiefs:
The Chiefs were 17.5 point favourites for last week's clash with the Rebels in Melbourne and they dodged a bullet, scoring a try at the death to pinch it 33-30.
As close a call as it was that was an important win for the Chiefs who were coming off the back of a 38-28 loss to the Brumbies in their most recent home game.
Other results against Australian sides saw the Chiefs edge out the Reds 27-25 in Brisbane and they put the Waratahs away 51-27 in Melbourne in the Super Round.
The Chiefs have 8 wins and 4 defeats against their name. They finished Round 13 in fourth position with 36 log points, 3 ahead of the Canes and the Tahs and 5 better off than the Reds with this match and a clash with Drua to come.
In the outright betting the Chiefs are trading at around 13/2 to win the tournament.
Force:
The Force (16.5 point underdogs) crashed and burned 61-10 away to the Highlanders in Duendin last week.
A round earlier they were thrashed 53-15 by the Crusaders in a home fixture, displays that were a far cry from an earlier home game against the Blues where a second half fight back came up just short in a 22-18 defeat.
The Force have 2 wins (and 9 defeats) against their name, early in the tournament they won 28-3 away to the Rebels and they also edged out Fijian Drua (20-18)
The Force are in tenth place overall with 14 log points, 8 shy of a top 8 place but with a game in hand on most sides.
Team News (subject to change)
Chiefs: Aidan Ross, Bradley Slater, Angus Ta'avao, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Pita Gus Sowakula, Sam Cane (co-c), Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber (co-c), Bryn Gatland, Chase Tiatia, Quinn Tupaea, Rameka Pohipi, Emoni Narawa, Kaleb Trask
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Josh Bartlett, George Dyer, Samipeni Finau, Mitch Brown, Kaylum Boshier, Xavier Roe, Rameka Poihipi
Force: Tom Robertson, Feleti Kaitu’u (c), Santiago Medrano, Ryan McCauley, Izack Rodda, Fergus Lee-Warner, Tim Anstee, Jackson Pugh, Ian Prior, Jake McIntyre, Toni Pulu, Reesjan Pasitoa, Kyle Godwin, Byron Ralston, Jake Strachan
Reserves: Andrew Ready, Angus Wagner, Bo Abra, Jeremy Thrush, Will Sankey, Michael McDonald, Richard Kahui, Brad Lacey
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Chiefs -23.5 points at 9/10
Force +24.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
The Chiefs were very disappointing in Melbourne last week only edging the game by 3 points having started big favourites. They are back at home now though and play a Force team that really looks to be battling and I believe they are in for another hiding on New Zealand soil. I also will be taking a close look at the points lines when available, but for now a bet on the Chiefs to win by 24 or more.
BET: 4 Units Chiefs -23.5 at 9/10 at Hollywoodbets
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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