The final action in Round 14 of Super Rugby Pacific comes from Dunedin on Sunday where the Highlanders clash with the Waratahs
Highlanders v Waratahs, Sunday 22nd May, Dunedin, KO 05:35 (South African time)
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Refs: Brendon Pickerill , Angus Mabey
TMO: Chris Hart
Weather Forecast – Duendin, N/A indoor stadium
Highlanders:
After winning just 1 of their first 9 matches the Highlanders have moved into the last of the play off places with 3 straight wins, the most recent of which was a 61-10 hiding of the Force at this venue last week.
Prior to that the Highlanders came away from Brisbane with a 27-19 victory over the Reds in Round 12 and in Round 11 they edged out Fijian Drua, 27-24 in Suva. The Highlanders had opened their account in their seventh outing when they beat Moana Pasifika 37-17 in Dunedin.
With 4 wins (and 8 defeats) the Highlanders have 21 log points against their name and they finished Round 13 in eighth place in the overall standings with a visit to the Rebels still to come.
In the outright betting the Highlanders can be backed at 50/1
Waratahs:
The Waratahs (6.5 point underdogs) came very close to beating the Hurricanes in a home fixture last week. They eventually went down 22-18 with a very late try by the Canes denying the Tahs another NZ scalp.
The Waratahs hosted the Crusaders in Round 11, they were given around 22.5 points start on the handicap but they won the game 24-21. The Tahs first match up with a New Zealand side came against the Chiefs in Super Round in Melbourne. They were given around 16.5 points start on the handicap and it wasn't enough as they went down 51-27.
The Waratahs now have a record of 7 wins and 5 defeats and with 32 log points they finished the previous round in sixth position in the overall standings, level with the Canes and 3 points behind the fourth placed Chiefs.
After this the Tahs host the Blues and in the outright betting they are 33/1 to win the tournament
Team News (subject to change)
Highlanders: Daniel Lienert-Brown, Liam Coltman, Jermaine Ainsley, Sam Caird, Josh Dickson, James Lentjes (co-c), Billy Harmon, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Aaron Smith (co-c), Sam Gilbert, Scott Gregory, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Josh Timu, Denny Solomona, Connor Garden-Bachop
Reserves: Andrew Makalio, Luca Inch, Saula Mau, Max Hicks, Hugh Renton, Folau Fakatava, Mitch Hunt, Fetuli Paea
Waratahs: Tetera Faulkner, Dave Porecki, Archer Holz, Geoff Cridge, Hugh Sinclair, Langi Gleeson, Michael Hooper, Will Harris, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Alex Newsome
Reserves: Mahe Vailanu, Angus Bell, Paddy Ryan, Jeremy Williams, Ned Hanigan, Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, Jack Grant, Jamie Roberts
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Highlanders -9.5 points at 9/10
Waratahs +10.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
I handicapped this game Highlanders -4.5 so at first glance at the double figure cap available I should be piling on to the Waratahs. The Highlanders have been much improved though and I think this is the game where we should get plenty of tries in what will be perfect conditions under the roof in Dunedin.
BET: To follow when points lines are out
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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