Hawkes Bay vs Canterbury Predictions - Hawkes Bay poised for fourth successive NPC win

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 3 hours ago

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Simon Lewis 3 hours ago

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Hawkes Bay vs Canterbury - Clash of unbeaten NPC teams.
Hawkes Bay tipped to cover +1.5 handicap at home.
Both teams to field near full-strength lineups.

Hawkes Bay have won 3 of their last 4 matches against Canterbury. (Getty Images)

Hawkes Bay vs Canterbury Predictions

This is the game of the weekend in terms of the NPC. Both sides have won their opening three games, although, arguably, Canterbury have had the tougher fixtures. I am backing the hosts to cover the +1.5 handicap and make it four wins from four.

Hawkes Bay vs Canterbury Predictions
Head to Head
Hawkes Bay Form
Hawkes Bay Team News
Canterbury Form
Canterbury Team News

Hawkes Bay have won their last 3 matches.
Hawkes Bay have won 3 of their last 4 matches against Canterbury.
Canterbury have won their last 3 matches.
Canterbury have picked up 1 bonus point in their last 3 matches.

Head to Head

Hawkes Bay have won three of their last five matches against Canterbury. Their last meeting was in the 2024 NPC, a match Hawkes Bay won 27-21 away from home.

Hawkes Bay Form

Hawkes Bay currently find themselves second on the NPC table after three rounds. They have won all three fixtures thus far.

In the opening round, Hawkes Bay thrashed Counties Manukau 54-14 before seeing off Otago 27-21 away in a tough round two contest.

Last weekend, Hawkes Bay were too good for North Harbour on home soil. They secured another bonus point victory with a 36-22 win.

Hawkes Bay Team News

This is a huge game for Hawkes Bay on home soil. There may be a few rotations to their side but it should still be close to a full-strength outfit.

Canterbury Form

Canterbury are one of three teams that are unbeaten after the first three rounds, their opponents being one of the others. They have won all three games, picking up a bonus point in just one of the wins.

On the opening weekend, Canterbury eased past defending champs, Wellington 33-15 away from home. That was a bonus point win. In round two, Canterbury won a close contest at home to Auckland 19-15.

Last weekend, Canterbury handed Bay of Plenty their first defeat of the season, winning 21-7 away from home.

Canterbury Team News

Canterbury have had a tough start to the NPC but with three wins in three, a fourth will ensure they can rest key players in coming weeks. However, this weekend I expect them to field close to a full-strength lineup.

Verdict

Hawkes Bay v Canterbury

Hawkes Bay are slight underdogs but at home, I fancy them to win.

Hawkes Bay Win

Result

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