The Blues top the Super Rugby Pacific outright winner betting boards as they prepare for their play off against the Highlanders in Auckland on Saturday.
Blues v Highlanders, Saturday 4th July, Auckland, KO 09:05 (South African time)
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistants: Ben O’Keeffe, Stu Curran
TMO : James Leckie
Weather Forecast – Auckland
Blues:
The Blues were already assured of top spot in the standings prior to last week's 20-17 win away to the Waratahs where they sealed victory with a drop goal at the death. They also cut it fine in Round 13 with a 21-19 win away to the Brumbies and the Blues finished 6 points clear of the Crusaders at the top of the regular season standings,
Since losing to the Canes in the opening round they have reeled off 13 successive wins and and they will play at Eden Park for as long as they remain in the play offs.
Aside from the loss to the Canes the Blues won home games against the Chiefs (24-22), the first clash with the Highlanders, staged at North Harbour, finished 32-20 in their favour and they won the return in Dunedin 32-25. A 25-0 win away to the Chiefs and a 27-23 victory away to the Crusaders provide further evidence that the Blues are the team to beat.
In the outright betting to win the tournament the Blues are trading as favourites at around 27/20
Highlanders:
Whist the Blues topped the regular season log the Highlanders squeezed into the play offs in eighth place, edging out the Force on points difference. They went down 31-30 to the Rebels in Melbourne last week and their overall record comprises of just the 4 wins alongside 10 defeats.
Aside from the 2 defeats to the Blues other results against NZ sides include a 26-16 defeat away to the Chiefs, a 34-19 loss at home to the Crusaders and a 21-14 loss away to the Canes. The Highlanders did run the Crusaders close in Christchurch, going down 17-14 and they were also edged out 22-21 at home to the Hurricanes.
In the outright betting to win the tournament the Highlanders are the outsiders of the party, trading at around 50/1.
Team News (subject to change)
Blues: Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tuungafasi, James Tucker, Tom Robinson, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Mark Telea, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, Bryce Heem, Stephen Perofeta
Reserves: Soane Vikena, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, AJ Lam, Zarn Sullivan
Highlanders: Ethan de Groot, Andrew Makalio, Jermaine Ainsley, Bryn Evans, Josh Dickson, Hugh Renton, Billy Harmon, Marino Mikaele Tu'u, Aaron Smith (c), Marty Banks, Mosese Dawai, Scott Gregory, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Fetuli Paea, Connor Garden Bachop
Reserves: Leni Apisai, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Mau, Max Hicks, Shannon Frizell, Folau Fakatava, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Denny Solomona
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Blues 15.5 points at 9/10
Highlanders +16.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
This is a big handicap for a New Zealand derby and bigger than I expected as I priced this game Blues -12.5. Having given it some thought and listened to the lads on last nights THE HANDICAP our Rugby Betting Show I think I have got this one wrong and I am actually leaning towards a big Blues victory here. They have looked strong all season and they face a Highlanders side that somehow qualified for the playoffs despite only getting 4 victories. The Blues can put the hammer down and win comfortably.
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BET: 4 Units Blues (-15.5) at 9/10 @BetXchange
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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