Northland vs Counties Manukau Predictions - Northland too good for Counties Manukau

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 19 minutes ago

Brad Newcomb 19 minutes ago

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Northland have won 6 of their last 7 home games and top the NPC table.
Counties Manukau have lost 4 of their last 5 away and are out of playoff contention.
Prediction: Northland tipped to cover -23.5 handicap.

Northland have been performing well in this season's NPC (Getty Images)

Northland vs Counties Manukau Predictions

Northland vs Counties Manukau Predictions
Head to Head
Northland Form
Counties Manukau Form
Team News

Northland have been in excellent form at home lately and are on course to secure a home quarter-final in this edition of the NPC. Counties Manukau are out of the running to make the play-offs and have only pride to play for.

Northland have won 5 of their last 6 fixtures.
Northland have won 6 of their last 7 home games.
Northland have won 2 of their last 3 matches against Counties Manukau.
Counties Manukau have lost 4 of their last 6 games.
Counties Manukau have lost 4 of their last 5 away matches.

Head to Head

Counties Manukau have the advantage over Northland, with five victories to two in seven meetings in the National Provincial Championship.

Northland Form

Northland scored three tries and two conversions in the first half against Wellington last weekend to lead 19-14 at half-time.

The Taniwha turned up the heat in the second stanza, scoring five tries and four conversions to thump Wellington 52-28 away from home.

Earlier in their campaign, Northland thrashed Manawatu 40-14 at home, lost 34-21 away to Bay of Plenty, and defeated Taranaki 42-0 at home, Canterbury 36-12 away, and Tasman 20-10 at home, and lost 57-42 away to North Harbour before beating Waikato 34-17 at home.

The Taniwha are first in the National Provincial Championship table with 32 points from eight matches.

Northland have been top in form this season, and have an opportunity to take a step closer to securing a home quarter-final berth in their match against Counties Manukau, as they have won six of their last seven home games.

Counties Manukau Form

Counties Manukau scored two converted tries in the first half against Otago last weekend, going into the break trailing 26-14.

Manukau added a solitary converted try in the second half, losing 50-21 to Otago at home.

Before that result, the Steelers lost 20-5 at home to Taranaki, 59-19 to North Harbour away, 50-35 at home to Tasman, and 45-12 to Waikato away, and defeated Wellington 46-35 away and Southland 47-24 at home before losing 43-33 away to Auckland.

Manukau are 13th in the National Provincial Championship standings with 12 points after eight rounds.

Counties Manukau failed in their bid to reach the play-offs, as they have found the going too tough on the road lately, having suffered four defeats in their last five fixtures.

Team News

Northland

James Ramm, James Mullan, and Reuben Stewart each scored a brace against Wellington.

Nathan Salmon and Grady Forbes contributed a try each last weekend.

Rivez Reihana slotted four conversions in the match, while Rivez Reihana landed two conversions.

Starting XV: Esile Fono, James Mullan, Marcel Renata, Josh Goodhue, Allan Craig, Terrell Peita, Lachie Hooper, Simon Parker, Sam Nock, Rivez Reihana, Hudson Creighton, Corey Evans, Heremaia Murray, James Ramm, Jordan Trainor

Replacements: Heath Macewan, Olly Ryan, Daniel Botha, Darcy Holwell, Grady Forbes, Josh Benton, Rees-Jan Pasitoa, Nathan Salmon

Counties Manukau Steelers

Sione Molia, Gibson Popoali'i, and Peniasi Malimali each scored a try against Otago last weekend.

AJ Alatimu slotted two conversions, while Jackson Rainsford kicked over a conversion.

Starting XV: Jarred Adams, Ian West-Stevens, Tom Polo, Veikoso Poloniati, Jimmy Tupou, Cam Church, Adam Brash, Alamanda Motuga, Melani Matavao, AJ Alatimu, Sione Molia, Gibson Popoali'i, Tevita Ofa, Josh Gray, Adam Morrison

Replacements: Ioane Moananu, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Atunaisa Moli, Leo Ngatai-Tafau, Jonty Short, Cohen Brady-Leathem, Tomasi Alosio, Simon-Peter Toleafoa

Verdict

Northland v Counties Manukau

Northland have been in great touch in the NPC this season and are tipped to cover the -23.5 handicap in their match against Counties Manukau.

Northland -23.5

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.