Fijian Drua host the Highlanders in Round 11 of Super Rugby Pacific at the ANZ Stadium, Suva on Saturday,a first game on home turf for the newcomers.
Fijian Drua v Highlanders, Saturday 30th April, Suva, KO 06:35 (South African time)
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistants: Jono Bredin, Mike Fraser
TMO : Aaron Paterson
Weather Forecast - ANZ Stadium, Suva
Fijian Drua:
Drua were given around 30 points start for last week's clash with the log leading Blues in Melbourne and although they lost the game 35-18 they made life awkward for a team are in terrific form.
Drua now have a record of 1 win and 8 defeats and their sole win came in Round 3 when they beat the Rebels 31-26 on the Sunshine Coast.
With 6 log points Drua are second from bottom overall, they have been playing their matches in Australia but now head to Suva for the first time.
Highlanders:
The Highlanders took on the Brumbies in the Melbourne Super Round, the betting suggested it would be close but the Aaustralian side won 28-17, scoring 3 tries to the Highlanders 2.
Prior to that the Highlanders were edged out by the Hurricanes 22-21 in Dunedin and their only win so far came in their seventh outing when they beat Moana Pasifika 37-17, also in Dunedin, picking up a bonus point along the way.
With just the 1 win (and 4 losing bonus points) the Highlanders have 9 log points against their name and finished Round 10 third from bottom of the overall standings.
Team News (subject to change)
Fijian Drua: Haereiti Hetet, Mesu Dolokoto, Manasa Saulo, Isoa Nasilasila, Ratu Rotuisolia, Meli Derenalagi (c), Vilive Miramora, Te Ahiwaru Cirikdaveta, Frank Lomani, Teli Tela, Vinaya Habosi, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Apisalome Vota, Selestino Ravutaumada, Kitione Taliga
Reserves: Tevita Ikanivere, Meli Tuni, Samu Tawake, Villiame Rarasea, Joseva Tamani, Simione Kuruvoli, Onisi Ratave, Kitione Ratu
Highlanders: Daniel Lienert Brown, Andrew Makalio, Jermaine Ainsley, Bryna Evans, Sam Caird, Christian Lio-Willie, Billy Harmon, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Aaron Smith (c), Mitch Hunt, Scott Gregory, Fetuli Paea, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Sam Gilbert, Connor Garden-Bachop
Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Ethan de Groot, Josh Hohneck, Max Hicks, James Jentjes, Folau Fakatava, Marty Banks, Hugh Renton
The Betting Need to open an account? Claim your 1st deposit bonus of up to R2,000 here
Fijian Drua +9.5 points at 9/10
Highlanders -9.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
Fijian Drua v Highlanders
I handicapped this game as Drua +9.5 and that is where the line has settled having opened +13.5. I can understand the support for the Home team as this will be their first game in front of what should be a passionate crowd and the Highlanders have been disappointing. The panel was split on last night’s betting show, The Handicap, but I am happy to throw my hat in on the Drua here.
Bet: 4 Units, Drua +10.5 points at 8/10 at Sportingbet.
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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