Highlanders vs Chiefs Predictions & Tips - Highlanders tipped to cover the handicap in Dunedin

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 09 Apr 2021

Ralph Staniforth 09 Apr 2021

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Highlanders vs Chiefs predictions for Saturday’s Super Rugby Aotearoa clash
Fixture is being played at 09:05 SAST at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin
The Highlanders are unbeaten in their last 5 meetings with the Chiefs
I'm tipping the Highlanders to cover the -3 handicap
Betting tips, predictions and team news for Highlanders vs Chiefs

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Highlanders vs Chiefs Predictions

The Highlanders will be brimming with confidence following their unbelievable victory over the Crusaders last weekend. That win should see them beat the Chiefs, a team they have not lost to in their last five meetings. The best bet for this clash is for the Highlanders to cover the -3 handicap with relative ease.

Highlanders are undefeated against the Chiefs in their last 5 matches (4 wins).
Highlanders beat the Chiefs 39-23 away earlier this season.
Highlanders beat the Crusaders 33-12 last weekend.
Chiefs have lost 8 of their last 10 matches.

Head to Head

Highlanders have won four of their last five matches against the Chiefs. The other match ended in a draw.

When they met earlier this season, the Highlanders turned around a half time deficit to win 39-23 away from home.

Highlanders Form

The Highlanders are third on the Super Rugby Aotearoa table on nine points, five points off the second placed Blues. They have performed reasonably well this season without much fortune, but last week everything came together.

In one of the upsets on the last few years, the Highlanders beat the Crusaders 33-12 in Christchurch last week. It was only the Crusaders second home defeat in 40 matches.

Prior to that, the Highlanders had shown some inconsistency. They lost 26-13 to the Crusaders on the opening weekend before making a second half comeback to beat the Chiefs 39-23 away.

The Highlanders then lost 39-17 to the Blues and 30-19 to the Hurricanes. There are only three matches remaining for the Highlanders and they will need to win all of them to have any chance of finishing in the top two.

Highlanders Injuries & Team News

After team protocols were breached the Highlanders dropped a number of players last week. They are all available this week.

In the backline, Ngatungane Punivai, Sio Tomkinson and Aaron Smith all come into the starting lineup. Scott Gregory shifts from right wing to inside centre.

Among the forwards, James Lentjies starts at flank while Josh Hohneck comes in at tighthead prop.

Chiefs Form

The Chiefs are one point below the Highlanders but have a game in hand. After losing 10 Super Rugby Aotearoa matches in a row stretching back to last season, the Chiefs have won their last two.

They had a bye last weekend but beat the Hurricanes 35-29 and the Blues 15-12 in their two matches before. Despite the two victories, the Chiefs have scored the least points (90) in the tournament thus far. Sorting out their attack will be top of the priority list this weekend.

Victory over the Highlanders will leave the Chiefs in a decent position to make the top two.

Chiefs Injuries & Team News

From their last outing, the Chiefs have changed both wings as Jonah Lowe and Etene Nanai-Seturu start ahead of Shaun Stevenson and Sean Wainui.

Captain Sam Cane is not in the squad for this fixture. Kaylum Boshier will take his place at flank.

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Verdict

Highlanders v Chiefs

The Highlanders will be well up for this clash after beating the Crusaders last weekend. They also downed the Chiefs 39-23 in their previous clash a few weeks ago. I'm tipping the Highlanders to win by more than three points in Dunedin.

Highlanders -3

Handicap

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