Wellington vs Northland Predictions - Northland to inflict more misery upon Wellington

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 21 minutes ago

Brad Newcomb 21 minutes ago

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Northland have won 4 of their last 5 NPC matches.
Wellington are winless this season and have lost 9 in a row.
Prediction: Northland to cover -17.5 handicap against Wellington.

Northland have been in solid form this season (Getty Images)

Wellington are winless in this edition of the NPC and are on a losing streak at home. Northland are on course to reach the play-offs after a solid campaign this season.

Northland have won 4 of their last 5 fixtures.
Northland have won 2 consecutive matches against Wellington.
Wellington have lost 9 consecutive games.
Wellington have lost 4 consecutive home matches.

Head to Head

Wellington have the advantage over Northland, with eight victories to three in 11 meetings in the National Provincial Championship.

Wellington Form

Wellington were outplayed in the first half against Canterbury last weekend, scoring one try, going into the break trailing 40-5.

The Wellington Lions scored two converted tries in the second half, but continued to concede points, losing 66-19 to Canterbury away from home.

Earlier in their campaign, Wellington lost 52-33 to Hawke's Bay at home, 34-31 away to Auckland, 47-7 to North Harbour at home, 61-22 away to Otago, 46-35 to Counties Manukau at home, and 42-28 away to Tasman.

The Lions are last in the NPC standings with five points after seven rounds.

Wellington have been out of sorts this season, and must find a way to improve their home form to have a chance of victory against Northland, having suffered four defeats in a row.

Northland Form

Northland scored two tries, a conversion, and a penalty in the first half against Waikato last weekend to lead 15-5 at half-time.

The Taniwha added three tries and two conversions in the second half to beat Waikato 34-17 at home.

Before that performance, 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 before losing 57-42 away to North Harbour.

The Taniwha are third in the National Provincial Championship table with 27 points from seven matches.

Northland have had regular success this season, and will fancy their chances to take a step closer to the play-offs when they travel to face Wellington, as their opponents have lost nine consecutive fixtures.

Team News

Wellington Lions

Matt Proctor, Jake Turnbull, and Losi Filipo each scored a try against Canterbury last weekend.

Cameron Burgess slotted two conversions in the match.

Starting XV: Jake Turnbull, James O’Reilly, Siale Lauaki, Hugo Plummer, Johnny Falloon, Dominic Ropeti, Du’Plessis Kirifi (C), Matolu Petaia, Logan Henry, Callum Harkin, William Davis, Losi Filipo, Matt Proctor, Reo Matsushita, Cameron Burgess

Replacements: Penieli Poasa, Geordie Bean, Alex Hewitt, Kenkichi Yanagawa, Rupeni Raviyawa, Riley Williams, Jackson Ropata, Stanley Solomon

Northland

Lachlan Hooper scored a brace against Waikato.

Sam Nock, James Ramm, and Brady Rush contributed a try each last weekend.

Rivez Reihana slotted three conversions and a penalty in the match.

Starting XV: Olly Ryan, Jordan Hutchings, Daniel Botha, Lachie Hooper, Darcy Holwell, Grady Forbes, Zac Shanks, Terrell Peita (C), Josh Renton, Reesjan Pasitoa, Nathan Salmon, Corey Evans, Reuben Stewart, Hudson Creighton, James Ramm

Replacements: James Mullan, Esile Fono, Ricki Heremaia, Allan Craig, Heath MacEwan, Sam Nock, Rivez Reihana, Heremaia Murray

Verdict

Wellington v Northland

Northland have been performing well this season and are tipped to cover the -17.5 handicap in their match against Wellington.

Northland -17.5

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.