Southland vs Waikato Predictions - Waikato to keep the winning start to their NPC season intact

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 52 minutes ago

Brad Newcomb 52 minutes ago

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Waikato have won their last 3 away matches vs Southland.
Southland are on a 7-game losing streak and 4 home consecutive losses.
Waikato are tipped to cover the -14.5 handicap.

Waikato have had regular success against Southland in recent seasons (Getty Images)

Southland have lost back-to-back matches in the new NPC season and are on a losing streak at home. Waikato secured their second consecutive win of their campaign last weekend and have beaten Southland in their last three visits to their opponents' stadium.

Waikato have won 5 of their last 7 fixtures.
Waikato have won 2 of their last 4 away games.
Waikato have won 3 consecutive away matches against Taranaki.
Southland have lost 6 consecutive fixtures.
Southland have lost 4 consecutive home games.
Southland have lost 6 of their last 6 matches against Waikato.

Head to Head

Waikato have the advantage over Southland, with seven victories to two in nine meetings in the National Provincial Championship.

Southland Form

Southland produced a solid first-half display against Manawatu last weekend, scoring three converted tries to lead their hosts 21-7 at half-time.

However, Southland failed to capitalise on their advantage in the second half, scoring only two converted tries against Manawatu before losing 36-35 away from home.

Before that, the Stags had no answer in their National Provincial Championship season opener against Otago, losing 41-14 at home.

The Southland Stags have been struggling to win their league matches recently, losing seven consecutive fixtures, including four in a row at home, which is not the ideal form to have when taking on a Waikato side that has been in solid form.

Waikato Form

Waikato scored four tries and three conversions in the first half against Taranaki last weekend to lead 26-12 at the break.

Waikato survived a second-half comeback by the hosts, scoring two tries and a conversion to beat Taranaki 38-32 away from home.

At the start of the NPC season, the Mooloos faced Bay of Plenty in their opening match of the season, winning 38-26 at home.

Waikato will fancy their chances to register their third consecutive victory of the season when they take on Southland, having defeated their opponents three times in a row away from home.

Team News

Southland Stags

Jimmy Taylor scored a brace and slotted five conversions against Manawatu last weekend.

Jay Reihana, Hayata Taniyama, and Michael Manson scored a try each in the match.

Starting XV: Jack Sexton, Jayden Henderson, FEHUILI Latu, Mitch Dunshea, Ale Aho, Sam Fischli, Sean Withy (C), Konrad Toleafoa, Nic Shearer, Mika Muliaina, Glen Vaihu, Scott Gregory, Wil Gualter, Jay Reihana, Jimmy Taylor

Replacements: Tino Salanoa, Jack Barrett, Sef Fa'agase, Clem Halaholo, Louis Lepionka, Jackson Hughan, Alfred Nonu, Josh Augustine

Waikato

Nathan Stephens, Waisake Salabiau, Daniel Sinkinson, Taha Kemara, and Oli Mathis each crossed the try line against Bay of Plenty last weekend.

Taha Kemara slotted five conversions in the match, while Austin Anderson kicked over a penalty.

Waisake Salabiau and Michael Naitokani scored a brace each against Taranaki last weekend.

Austin Anderson and Mason Tupaea each crossed the try line in the match.

Taha Kemara landed four conversions.

Starting XV: Mason Tupaea, Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia, George Dyer, James Tucker, Dylan Eti, Samipeni Finau, Mitch Jacobson (C), Senita Lauaki, Xavier Roe, Taha Kemara, David Lewai, Austin Anderson, Michael Naitokani, Waisake Salabiau, Daniel Sinkinson

Replacements: Sean Ralph, Taipari Quinn, Sefo Kautai, Andrew Smith, Jahrome Brown, Oli Mathis, Daiki Nakajima, D'Angelo Leuila

Verdict

Southland v Waikato

Waikato are on a winning streak against Southland away from home and are tipped to cover the -14.5 handicap.

Waikato -14.5

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.