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Taranaki vs Waikato Predictions - Waikato set to beat Taranaki for the third time on the trot

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 05 Aug 2026

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Brad Newcomb 05 Aug 2026

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Waikato have won 4 of their last 5 away matches vs Taranaki.
Taranaki have lost 5 of their last 6 home games.
Waikato are predicted to cover the +10.5 handicap.

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Waikato have had success away to Taranaki in recent seasons (Getty Images)

Taranaki had a solid victory in their opening NPC fixture last weekend but have struggled to beat Waikato in recent seasons. Waikato scored plenty of tries in their season opener have edged Taranaki in their last two visits to their opponents' stadium.

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

Head to Head

Waikato have a slight edge with eight victories to seven against Taranaki, with one draw in 16 meetings in the National Provincial Championship.

Taranaki Form

Taranaki scored two tries in the first half against Counties Manukau last weekend, going into the half-time break leading 10-0.

In the second half, the Taranaki Bulls added a converted try and a penalty to secure a comfortable 20-5 victory away from home.

Taranaki face a tricky test at home against Waikato this weekend, as they came up short in their home match against Waikato last season, losing 23-22, and in 2024, losing 15-14.

Waikato Form

Waikato produced an outstanding first half against Bay of Plenty last weekend, scoring five converted tries to lead 35-0 at half-time.

However, their opponents mounted a comeback in the second half, but the Mooloos held on to record a 38-26 home victory against Bay of Plenty.

Waikato started their season on the front foot and will be aiming for back-to-back victories when they take on Taranaki, having defeated their opponents in four of their last five matches away from home.

Team News

Taranaki

Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Adam Lennox, and Sam Clarke each scored a try against Counties Manukau last weekend.

Sam Clarke landed a conversion and a penalty in the match.

Starting XV: Jared Proffit, JJ Pokai, Marika Parker, Jayden Sa, Jesse Parete, Arese Poliko, Olly Lawson, Kaylum Boshier (C), Adam Lennox, Sam Clarke, Willem Ratu, Seta Tamanivalu, Meihana Grindlay, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Replacements: Harry Hansen, Keightley Watson, Dane Johnston, Scott Jury, Sage Walters-Hansen, Logan Crowley, Haki Wiseman, Rocky Olsen

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.

Starting XV: Mason Tupaea, Sean Ralph, Sefo Kautai, James Tucker, Dylan Eti, Senita Lauaki, Mitch Jacobson (C), Malachi Wrampling, Xavier Roe, Taha Kemara, Nathan Stephens, Austin Anderson, Mike Naitokani, Waisake Salabiau, Daniel Sinkinson

Replacements: Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia, Quinn Taipari, George Dyer, Andrew Smith, Oli Mathis, Daiki Nakajima, Aki Tuivailala, David Lewai

Verdict

Taranaki v Waikato

Waikato have compiled a solid record against Taranaki away from home in recent seasons and are tipped to cover the +10.5 handicap.

Waikato +10.5

Handicap

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Waikato Win

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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.