Canterbury vs Manawatu Predictions - Canterbury to make it five from five in NPC

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 2 hours ago

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Ralph Staniforth 2 hours ago

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Canterbury has won all their NPC matches this season.
Manawatu shows improvement but may struggle against in-form Canterbury.
Canterbury is favored to cover a -15.5 point handicap in the match.

Canterbury to continue NPC dominance (Getty Images)

Canterbury vs Manawatu Predictions

Manawatu have been much better this season, but this may be a bridge too far. Canterbury are in strong form and are good value to win by more than 15.5 points.

Canterbury vs Manawatu Predictions
Head to Head
Canterbury Form
Canterbury Team News
Manawatu Form
Manawatu Team News

Canterbury have won their last 4 matches.
Canterbury have won their last 4 matches against Manawatu.
Canterbury have scored 60+ points in their last 2 matches against Manawatu.
Canterbury have conceded less than 10 points in each of their last 2 matches.
Manawatu have won 2 of their last 4 matches.

Head to Head

Canterbury have won their last four matches against Manawatu, scoring 60+ points in their last two. In 2023, their last encounter, Canterbury won 68-26 at home.

Canterbury Form

Canterbury are flying at the top of the NPC table, winning all four of their matches. They have only picked up bonus points in two of those games, but have still accumulated 18 points, three clear of second place.

Canterbury flew out of the blocks in round one, thrashing Wellington 33-15 away from home. They snuck past Auckland 19-15 at home the following weekend.

In round three, Canterbury beat Bay of Plenty 21-7 away from home before defeating Hawkes Bay 26-7 away last weekend.

Canterbury Team News

Canterbury will almost certainly rest players for this fixture. They need to keep players fit as the season gets into the business end and that is one game they will feel is winnable without their strongest side.

Manawatu Form

Manawatu are currently eighth on the table with two wins and two defeats. That is impressive thus far for a side that finished bottom last season without winning a game.

The season began with a 38-25 home win over North Harbour before losing out 49-17 to a strong Tasman side in round two. A narrow 29-22 loss to Southland away followed in round three.

Round four brought more success for Manawatu as they beat the defending NPC champions, Wellington, 38-28 at home. It was a sublime performance by Manawatu, particularly from an attacking perspective.

Manawatu Team News

Manawatu will know that unless Canterbury rests plenty of their players, a chance of a result is minimal. The visitors may also rest players for more winnable games ahead.