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Auckland vs Counties Manukau Predictions - Counties Manukau to upset the odds away at Eden Park in NPC clash

Nigel Williams

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

Nigel Williams 1 hour ago

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Counties Manukau favoured to cover +6.5 handicap against Auckland.
Auckland struggling with only 1 win from last 6 matches.
Counties showed momentum with a high-scoring win over Southland.

Counties Manukau to upset the odds away at Eden Park in NPC clash(/Getty Images)

Auckland vs Counties Manukau Predictions

Auckland are backed with home advantage at Eden Park, but Counties' stronger momentum in their recent outings, plus try-scoring form and attacking phase play, make them marginal favourites to secure an away win. My best bet is Counties Manukau to cover the +6.5 handicap.

Auckland vs Counties Manukau Predictions
Head-to-Head
Auckland Form
Auckland Injuries & Team News
Counties Manukau Form
Counties Manukau Injuries & Team News

Auckland has won 2 of the last 5 matches against Counties.
Auckland has won 1 of the last 6 matches.
Auckland lost 28-12 to Taranaki in their previous match.
Counties have won 2 of their last 6 matches.
Counties beat Southland 47-24 in their previous match.

Head-to-Head

Auckland has won two of the last five meetings against Manukau.

Auckland Form

Auckland were defeated by Taranaki 28-12 in Round 6 of their NPC match at Stadium Taranaki in New Plymouth, after trailing 14-7 at the break.

Auckland were unable to handle the slippery, rainy conditions, as well as Taranaki, who built a 14-7 lead by half-time behind a strong driving maul and forward set-piece.

Auckland narrowed the gap to 14-12 after the break, when Payton Spencer finished a sharp attacking play, though the conversion was missed. They were unable to hold onto the lead as Taranaki scored two unanswered converted tries.

Auckland has struggled for form in their 2026 campaign, winning one of their last six matches. They lost to Canterbury (38-31), beat Wellington (34-31), before losing to Hawkes Bay (44-31), North Harbour (27-19), Bay of Plenty (22-19), and Taranaki (28-12).

Auckland is 12th in the NPC table with 9 points after six matches of the 2026 campaign.

Auckland Injuries & Team News

Starting XV: 1 Josh Fusitu'a, 2 Soane Vikena, 3 Angus Ta'avao, 4 Tai Cribb, 5 Harvey Cordukes, 6 Randall Baker, 7 Caleb Woodley, 8 Che Clark, 9 James Arscott, 10 Alex Harford, 11 Harlyn Saunoa, 12 Xavi Taele, 13 Tevita Latu, 14 Payton Spencer, 15 Rico Simpson.

Replacements: 16 Nathaniel Pole, 17 Ben Ake, 18 Sam Davies, 19 Liam Hallam-Eames, 20 Logan Platt, 21 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22 Garouw Basson, 23 Xavier Tito-Harris.

Counties Manukau Form

Counties Manukau grabbed their second win of the season by defeating Southland 47-24 in their Round 6 NPC match at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe, after leading 19-5 at half-time.

Counties Manukau turned the tide late in the first half, scoring three rapid tries in six minutes to take a 19-5 lead at the break. Despite a brief second-half surge from Southland, Counties pulled away to secure their second win of the season.

Try-scorers were Veikoso Poloniati (28', 56'), Adam Morrison (32'), Ian West-Stevens (34'), Ezekiel Lindenmuth (62'), Sione Takai (68'), and Gibson Popoali'i (80'), with conversions by AJ Alatimu (5) and Jackson Rainsford (1).

Counties have been inconsistent this season, winning two of their last six matches. They lost to Taranaki (20-5), North Harbour (59-19), Tasman (50-35), Waikato (45-12), before beating Wellington (46-35), and Southland (47-24).

Counties are 11th in the NPC table with 11 points after six matches of the 2026 campaign.

Counties Manukau Injuries & Team News

Starting XV: 1 Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 2 Ioane Moananu, 3 Tom Polo, 4 Veikoso Poloniati, 5 Sione Takai, 6 Leo Ngatai-Tafau, 7 Adam Brash, 8 Alamanda Motuga, 9 Melani Matavao, 10 AJ Alatimu, 11 Sione Molia, 12 Gibson Popoali'i, 13 Tomasi Alosio, 14 Josh Gray, 15 Adam Morrison.

Replacements: 16 Rico McQuoid, 17 Jarred Adams, 18 Kurene Luamanuvae, 19 Aporosa Vuniyayawa, 20 Jonty Short, 21 Jonathan Taumateine, 22 Jackson Rainsford, 23 Tevita Ofa.