The Chiefs clash with the Waratahs in a Super Rugby Pacific play off in Hamilton on Saturday and the home side start as the bookmakers favourites.
Chiefs v Waratahs, Saturday 4th July, Hamilton, KO 06:35 (South African time)
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistants: Jordan Way, Dan Waenga
TMO : Chris Hart
Weather Forecast – Hamilton
Chiefs:
The Chiefs went into last week's clash with Drua in Fiji needing a victory to secure a home play off and despite conceding 3 tries in the final 10 minutes they came out on top 35-24.
That result saw the Chiefs finish third in the standings, 7 points adrift of the Crusaders and 13 shy of the Blues with a record of 10 wins and 4 defeats.
In earlier results against Australian sides the Chiefs thumped the Force 54-21 in Hamilton, they edged out the Rebels 33-30 in Melbourne, lost 38-28 at home to the Brumbies and they beat the Reds 27-25 in Brisbane. They took on the Waratahs in Round 10, the Super Round in Melbourne, and they won that game 51-27.
In the outright betting to win the tournament the Chiefs can be backed at around 13/2.
Waratahs:
That Tahs finished the regular season at home to the Blues who were already assured of top spot in the standings. It was a tight game eventually settled by a Blues drop goal at the death as the Tahs were beaten 20-17.
Since losing to the Chiefs the Waratahs have generally performed really well against New Zealand sides. They came away from Dunedin with a 32-20 win over the Highlanders, went down 22-18 at home to the Hurricanes and beat the Crusaders 24-21 in a Round 11 home fixture.
The Waratahs finished the regular season with a record of 8 wins and 6 defeats, good enough for sixth position in the overall standings.
In the outright betting to win the tournament the Tahs can be backed at around 33/1.
Team News (subject to change)
Chiefs: Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Angus Ta'avao, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Va'ai, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Pita Gus Sowakula, Brad Weber (co-c), Bryn Gatland, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Quinn Tupaea, Alex Nankivell, Jonah Lowe, Emoni Narawa
Reserves: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, Atu Moli, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Mitch Brown, Xaiver Roe, Josh Ioane, Rameka Poihipi
Waratahs: Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Ned Hanigan, Charlie Gamble, Michael Hooper, Will Harris, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Alex Newsome, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Ben Donaldson
Reserves: Tom Horton, Paddy Ryan, Archer Holz, Hugh Sinclair, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Jack Grant, Jamie Roberts
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Chiefs -10.5 points at 9/10
Waratahs +11.5 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 at Waratahs +9.5 and so was interested in the early +13.5 available. The money has started to come for the Waratahs now and the line is closer to where I set it meaning I am looking elsewhere for a betting interest. I do think the Waratahs can push this Chiefs side although there is always a nagging worry when backing an Australian side in any form on the road in New Zealand. The Chiefs should ultimately be too strong though so I am going for a close game here and will look for the Chiefs to win by under 13 points.
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BET: 3 Units Chiefs by 1-12 points inclusive at 19/10 @Sunbet
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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