Friday the 14th of June will see two trans-Tasman derbies with the Highlanders taking on the Waratahs and the Rebels and Chiefs squaring off.
The final set of Super Rugby 2019 round robin fixtures get underway with a clash between the Highlanders and Waratahs, while the day’s action comes to a close over in Australian where the Rebels and Chiefs will lock horns in a pivotal fixture.
Highlanders v Waratahs
Forsyth Barr
09:35
To Win (80 Mins)
Highlanders 1/14
Draw 30/1
Waratahs 15/2
Handicap
Highlanders (-17.5) 9/10
Waratahs (+17.5) 9/10
*Forecast handicap
The Highlanders currently sit three points off the final play-off berth and would need a bonus point win here to have any real shot of claiming a spot in the next round. The Waratahs find themselves facing an even more dire situation as they are five points off the play-offs and would need a bonus point victory here and divine intervention if they are to qualify for the knock-out phase of the tournament.
Both teams had miserable Round 17’s with the Highlanders being held to a 24-4 draw by a Bulls side that has more casualties than most hospital wards, and the Waratahs, who opted to field a full strength side, going down 24-35 to the Brumbies on home soil.
Verdict: Highlanders (-17.5) 9/10 *Forecast Handicap
They need a bonus point win here and I can see the hosts getting it with the Waratahs set to rest a number of players due to national team protocols.
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Rebels v Chiefs
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
11:45
To Win (80 Mins)
Rebels 8/10
Draw 22/1
Chiefs 1/1
Handicap
Rebels
Chiefs
*To be added upon release
We head over to Melbourne for our next clash which will see a desperate Rebels side take on an equally desperate Chiefs outfit. The hosts currently occupy the final play-off berth but this weekend’s opponents and the Highlanders, are only two points behind them. As such, a loss for the Rebels is likely to see them miss out on the play-offs.
While the visitors will come into this one fresh and revived having enjoyed a bye week in Round 17, the hosts may well be rather jaded as they suffered an absolute hammering at the hands of the Crusaders last weekend going down 66-0 at Rugby League Park.
Verdict: Rebels 9/10 *Forecast Odds
We’re likely to see tries galore here as the Chiefs go hunting for a bonus point win that would give them their best possible chance of advancing to the next round. I can see the Rebels matching them try for try and taking the spoils here.
Written by Darry Worthington for Hollywoodbets
