The Chiefs clash with the Waratahs in Friday's opening "Super Round" match in Melbourne and there is only a single point between these sides in the overall standings.
Chiefs v Waratahs, Friday 22nd April, Melbourne, KO 11:00 (South African time)
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistants: Jordan Way, Graham Cooper
TMO : Oli Kellett
Weather Forecast – Melbourne
Chiefs:
The Chiefs picked up a 45-12 bonus point win over Moana Pasifika in Hamilton last week, covering a -28.5 point handicap with Alex Nankivell and Etene Nanai-Seturo both scoring 2 tries a piece.
Prior to that the Chiefs went down 25-0 to the Blues in another home fixture, a game they started as marginal favourites and they now meet Australian opposition for the first time.
The Chiefs have 5 wins and 3 defeats against their name and they finished Round 9 in sixth position with 23 log points, 8 shy of the log leading Blues. In the outright betting the Chiefs are trading unchanged at around 5/1 to win the tournament.
Waratahs:
The Waratahs were marginal favourites for last week's clash with an injury hit Force side in Perth but they made short work of their opposition, coming through with a 41-24 victory. The Tahs quickly built up a commanding lead and scored 6 tries in total to secure a bonus point.
The Tahs have also beaten Fijian Drua twice and earlier wins came against the Force and against the Rebels.
The Waratahs now have a record of 5 wins and 3 defeats, their 25 log points is good enough for fifth in the overall standings, third best of the Australian sides and
they are 33/1 shots in the outright betting.
Team News (subject to change)
Chiefs:Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Angus Ta'avao, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (c), Pita Gus Sowakula, Cortez Ratima, Bryn Gatland, Quinn Tupaea, Rameka Pohipi, Alex Nankivell, Jonah Lowe, Chase Tiatia
Reserves: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Samipeni Finau, Xavier Roe Rivez Reihana, Inga Finau
Waratahs: Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Charlie Gamble, Michael Hooper, Will Harris, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Alex Newsome, Jamie Roberts, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Will Harrison
Reserves: Tom Horton, Tetera Faulkner, Archer Holz, Geoff Cridge, Rahboni Warren-Yosayaco, Jack Grant, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch
The Betting Need to open an account? Claim your 1st deposit bonus of up to R2,000 here
Chiefs -16.5 points at 9/10
Waratahs +16.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
I have been impressed with the Waratahs this season and I believe they can give a good ccount of themselves here. The match is being played on neutral territory and I am not that impressed with the Chiefs lineup. My handicap for this game was Chiefs -14.5 so I see some value in the plus.
Click here to see what other punters fancy and for any points bets I my place
Bet: 4 units Waratahs +16.5 at 9/10 at Sunbet
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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