superugby2018Fijian Drua host the Chiefs in Round 15 of Super Rugby Pacific at Churchill Park, Lautoka on Saturday, an important match for the visitors when it comes to the composition of the play offs.

 

 

 

 

Fijian Drua v Chiefs, Saturday 28th May, Lautoka, KO 05:00 (South African time)

 

Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistants: Angus Mabey, Dan Waenga
TMO: Glenn Newman

 

Weather Forecast - Lautoka

 

Fijian Drua:

 

Drua were hammered 61-3 by the Crusaders in Christchurch last week and they now finish up their maiden Super Rugby season with a marquee home fixture in Fiji.

 

Drua have 2 wins against their name, they beat fellow newcomers Moana Pasifika 34-19 in Australia 2 weeks ago and back in Round 3 they beat the Rebels 31-26 on the Sunshine Coast.

 

Drua's early results against NZ sides include a 35-18 loss to the Blues in Round 10 (in Melbourne), they ran the Highlanders close (27-24) in Suva (their only other game in Fiji) and were thrashed 67-5 by the Hurricanes in Wellington.

 

Drua have 11 log points and they are second from bottom overall.

 

Chiefs:

 

The Chiefs thumped the Force 54-21 in Hamilton last week, an important win in their quest for home advantage in the first round of play offs.

 

They have now won 5 of their last 6 matches and overall they have 9 wins and 4 defeats against their name. That sees the Chiefs come into the final round of the regular season in fourth position. They are 3 points behind the third placed Brumbies but any slip here could see them caught by the Canes (3 points back) or the Waratahs (4 points adrift).

 

Team News (subject to change)

 

Fijian Drua: Haereiti Hetet, Zuriel Togiatama, Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, Isoa Nasilasila, Viliame Rarasea, Joseva Tamani, Rusiate Nasove, Nemani Nagusa (c), Frank Lomani, Teti Tela, Vinaya Habosi, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Apisalome Vota, Ilaisa Droasese, Kitione Taliga

 

Reserves: Tevita Ikanivere, Timoci Sauvoli, Manasa Saulo, Chris Minimbi, Mesulame Dolokoto, Peni Matawalu, Caleb Muntz, Onisi Ratave

 

Chiefs: Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Angus Ta'avao, Brodie Retallick Tupou Vaa'i, Samnipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Pita Gus Sowakula, Brad Weber (c), Bryn Gatland, Alex Nankivell, Quinn Tupaea, Rameka Pohipi, Emoni Narawa, Kaleb Trask

 

Reserves: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, Atu Moli, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Jonah Lowe

 

 

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Fijian Drua +17.5 points at 9/10

Chiefs -17.5 points at 9/10

 

Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.

 

Betting Angle

 

If you put a gun to my head I would definitely be leaning Chiefs on the handicap here (it has moved from -15.5 to -17.5), but there is another bet that I fancy. Conditions in Fiji look like they are going to be muggy and I think the players will find the ball getting slipperier from the humidity as the game goes on. On last night’s Rugby Betting show THE HANDICAP we discussed the strategy of possibly waiting for early points before going unders, but another alternative is backing the first-half to be the highest scoring at even money.

 

Click here for the video preview for Drua v Chiefs to see what @TheConductor and @TheCroweTips are betting on

For bets from other punters keep an eye on our forum

 

BET: 3 Units, High Scoring Half, the First-Half at 1/1 at Sportingbet

 

Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.

 

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