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Hawke's Bay vs Manawatu Predictions - Hawke's Bay too good for Manawatu at home

Brad Newcomb

Editor

Last updated: 20 Aug 2026

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Brad Newcomb 20 Aug 2026

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Hawke's Bay have won all NPC matches this season, 10 straight vs Manawatu.
Manawatu have lost 14 consecutive away games.
Hawke's Bay favoured to cover the -26.5 handicap.

Expired

Hawke's Bay are on a lenghy winning streak against Manawatu (Getty Images)

Hawke's Bay have won all their matches in the NPC this season and have consistently beaten Manawatu over the years. Manawatu fell short in their previous fixture and have a poor record away to Hawke's Bay.

Hawke's Bay have won 6 of their last 7 fixtures.
Hawke's Bay have won 4 consecutive home games.
Hawke's Bay have won 10 consecutive matches against Manawatu.
Manawatu have lost 6 of their last 7 fixtures.
Manawatu have lost 14 consecutive away games.

Head to Head

Hawke's Bay have the advantage over Manawatu, with 11 victories to four in 15 meetings in the National Provincial Championship.

Hawke's Bay Form

Hawke's Bay scored three tries and a conversion in the first half against Auckland last weekend, going into the break with the score at 17-17.

However, Hawke's Bay produced an excellent second-half display, scoring three converted tries and two penalties to come out on top against Auckland, winning 44-31 away from home.

Before that, the Magpies started their NPC campaign strongly with a 55-33 away win against Wellington and a 50-19 home victory against Tasman.

Hawke's Bay are first in the National Provincial Championship standings with 15 points after three matches.

Hawke's Bay have been in great touch so far this season, winning all their games, and they have compiled an impressive record against Manawatu recently, having recorded ten consecutive victories against their opponents.

Manawatu Form

Manawatu scored two converted tries and a penalty in the first half against Otago last weekend to lead their opponents 17-7 at half-time.

However, Manawatu only managed to score a converted try and a penalty in the second half, losing 29-27 to Otago at home.

Before that, the Turbos struggled in their NPC season opener, losing 40-14 to Northland away from home before bouncing back with a narrow 36-35 home win over Southland.

Manawatu are 11th in the National Provincial Championship table with six points after three games.

Manawatu must find a way to overturn their poor away form to have a chance of victory against Hawke's Bay, having lost 14 consecutive fixtures on the road, including five in a row to their opponents.

Team News

Hawke's Bay Magpies

Zarn Sullivan and Cooper Flanders each scored a brace against Auckland last weekend.

Kianu Kereru-Symes and Harry Godfrey scored a try each.

Harry Godfrey landed four conversions and two penalties in the match.

Starting XV: Clement Castets, Kianu Kereru-Symes, Manahi Goulton, Geoff Cridge, Hunter Morrison, Vilive Miramira, Frank Lochore (C), Taki Fabish, Folau Fakatava, Harry Godfrey, Darby Lancaster, Lukas Ripley, Bailyn Sullivan, Nic Benn, Zarn Sullivan

Replacements: Valentino Taito, Hadlee Hay-Horton, Joe Apikotoa, Tom Allen, Cooper Flanders, Connor McLeod, Anaru Paenga-Morgan, Will Cole

Manawatu

George Worboys, John Tapueluelu, and Taniela Filimone each crossed the try line against Otago last weekend.

George Worboys slotted three conversions and two penalties in the match.

Starting XV: Malakai Hala-NgataI, Alani Fakava, Flyn Yates, Reuben Allen, Robert Harley, Te Kamaka Howden (C), Rory Woods, Taine Rori, Jordi Viljoen, George Worboys, John Tapueluelu, James Tofa, Taniela Filimone, Drew Wild, Reece Macdonald

Replacements: Chris Finau, Liam Pratt, Feleti Sae Ta’ufo’ou, Angus Prouting, Samuel Johnson, Doug Philipson, Hunter Kennedy, Ngani Laumape

Verdict

Hawke's Bay v Manawatu

Hawke's Bay have an excellent record against Manawatu in the NPC and are tipped to cover the -26.5 handicap.

Hawke's Bay -26.5

Handicap

@1,91 - 3 Units

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Brad graduated from the University of South Africa with a Bcom-Management Accounting degree and has a financial background.

His love of sport has seen him venture down the road of researching sporting history for the past several years, specifically boxing, cricket and football.

Other sports of particular interest are golf, tennis, horse racing and motorsports.

Additionally, he spends his time researching the military history of his home country of South Africa.

He is an ardent Liverpool supporter and is known to DJ and release music on occasion.