The first of three Super Rugby Pacific matches taking place on Saturday comes from Queenstown where the Chiefs start as favourites for their clash with the Highlanders
Chiefs v Highlanders, Saturday 19th February, Queenstown, KO 05:35 (South African time)
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistants: Angus Mabey, Marcus Playle
Weather Forecast - Queenstown
Chiefs:
Clayton McMillan's Chiefs side are currently trading at around 9/2 third favourites in the outright betting to win the tournament.
In the pre-season “game of three halves” the Chiefs beat the Highlanders 14-5 and the Blues 17-7 with Same Cane getting some game time and new recruit Josh Ione (from the Highlanders) also impressed and both start.
Anton Lienert-Brown and Tupou Vaa’i are on the sidelines but Brodie Retallick returns to the fold.
Highlanders:
Tony Brown can no longer call on a number of players who helped the Highlanders reach the Trans Tasman final last year and they are 14/1 shots in the outright betting.
Although they lost to the Chiefs in the “game of three halves” they did edge out the Blues 21-19 whilst earlier in pre-season they beat the Crusaders 20-19. Skipper Aaron Smith, Ethan de Groot and Shannon Frizell all had game time in pre-season and start.
Team News
Chiefs: Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson, Alex Nankivell, Quinn Tupaea, Jonah Lowe, Josh Ioane, Xavier Roe, Pita Gus Sowakula, Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Brodie Retallick, Laghlan McWhannell, Sione Mafileo, Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris.
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Atu Moli, Angus Ta’avao, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Brad Weber, Bryn Gatland, Chase Tiatia
Highlanders: Sam Gilbert, Mosese Dawai, Fetuli Paea, Scott Gregory, Josh Timu, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith (c), Gareth Evans, James Lentjes, Shannon Frizell, Josh Dickson, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Jermaine Ainsley, Liam Coltman, Ethan de Groot.
Reserves: Andrew Makalio, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Josh Hohneck, Bryn Evans, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Folau Fakatava, Marty Banks, Thomas Umaga-Jensen
The Betting, Need to open an account? Claim your 1st deposit bonus of up to R2,000 here
Chiefs -6.5 points at 9/10
Highlanders +6.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
The money has come for the Chiefs with the handicap edging out from -5.5 to -6,5 in most places. On last nights rugby betting show THE HANDICAP debutant Chad Reich was firm on the Chiefs and that is enough to swing me. They have a quality backline and a decent pack of forwards and I am going for a home win by 6 or more as there is still some -5.5 on offer.
Bet: 4 units Chiefs -5.5 at 17/20 at Sportingbet
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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