The first action in Round 3 of Super Rugby Pacific offers an opportunity for a first look at Moana Pasifika who face a daunting debut task when they take on the Crusaders in Dunedin on Friday.
Moana Pasifika v Crusaders, Friday 4th March, Dunedin, KO 08:05 (South African time)
Referee: James Doleman
Assistants: Ben O’Keeffe, Fraser Hannon
TMO : Chris Hart
Weather Forecast – N/A, indoor stadium
Moana Pasifika:
Covid isolation led to the postponement of the first 2 scheduled matches involving newcomers Moana Pasifika. They had been due to take on the Blues and the Chiefs in the first 2 rounds so they remain something of an unknown quantity for a belated tournament debut.
They will hope to fare better than the other newbie, Fijian Drua who lost their first 2 matches, 40-10 to the Waratahs and 42-3 to the Brumbies.
Aaron Mauger is head coach and Sekope Kepu is skipper of the squad which includes some big units from Samoa and Tonga among the forwards.
In the outright betting Moana Pasifika are 15/10 second favourites to finish bottom of the standings
Crusaders:
The Crusaders remain in Dunedin, the venue for their first 2 matches, both of which ended in victory. In Round 2 they beat the Highlanders 34-19, scoring 4 tries including a brace for Reece and conceding 1 to secure a bonus point. They also covered the handicap of around -11.5 points.
The Crusaders began their tournament with a 42-32 win over the Canes in Dunedin. They were 8.5 point favourites on the handicap so that was another one for minus backers. Fainga’anuku scored a hat trick of tries including 2 in the first 11 minutes but despite leading 42-19 at one stage the Canes came back into it late on and with a final try count of 5-4 there was to be no Saders bonus point.
The Saders are one of 2 teams on 9 points at the top of the standings with the Brumbies ahead on points difference. They currently trading at around 5/4 (unchanged) favourites in the outright betting to win the tournament.
Team News
MOANA PASIFIKA: Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Luteru Tolai, Sekope Kepu (c), Mike McKee, Sam Slade, Solomone Funaki, Alamanda Motuga, Henry Time-Stowers, Ereatara Enari, Lincoln McClutchie, Neria Fomai, Danny Toala, Levi Aumua, Tima Fainga'anuku, Will Havili
RESERVES: Samieula Moli, Taukiha’amea Koloamatangi, Joe Apikotoa, Alex McRobbie, Jack Lam, Jonathan Taumateine, Christian Leali'ifano, Fine Inisi
CRUSADERS : George Bower, Brodie McAlister, Oliver Jager, Mitchell Dunshea, Quinten Strange (c), Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie, Pablo Matera, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Simon Hickley, Kini Naholo, Dallas McLeod, Leicester Fainga'anuku, George Bridge, Chay Fihaki
RESERVES: Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Dominic Gardiner, Corey Kellow, Bryn Hall, Richie Mo'unga, Isaiah Punivai
The Betting, Need to open an account? Claim your 1st deposit bonus of up to R2,000 here
Moana Pasifika +36.5 points at 9/10
Crusaders -36.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
The handicap opened at -46.5 Crusaders and the Pasifika team have been well backed to the point where the line seems to have settled at 36.5. Listening to the lads on tonights THE HANDICAP rugby betting show I foundmyself agreeing with the fact that the Crusaders have a loaded bench and could stretch clear in the 2nd half. I am backing them to win the 2nd half by at least 17 points.
Bet: 5 units Crusaders -16.5 2nd half handicap at 0.89/1 at Sunbet
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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