Highlanders vs Fijian Drua Predictions - Highlanders set for comfortable home win

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 11 Apr 2025

Simon Lewis 11 Apr 2025

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Highlanders favored to cover -8.5 handicap against Drua.
Highlanders lead history with three wins over Drua.
Drua struggling with one win in seven games, last in standings.

Expired

Highlanders have won all 3 previous matches against Fijian Drua. (Getty Images)

Highlanders vs Fijian Drua Predictions

The Highlanders have only won two in seven, but their defeats have been by narrow margins while the Drua have struggled in recent weeks. I’m backing the hosts to cover the -8.5 handicap.

Highlanders vs Fijian Drua Predictions
Head to Head
Highlanders Form
Highlanders Injuries & Team News
Fijian Drua Form
Fijian Drua Injuries & Team News

Highlanders have won all 3 previous matches against Fijian Drua.
Highlanders have lost their last 4 matches.
Fijian Drua have lost 6 of their last 7 matches.
Fijian Drua have lost their last 3 matches by more than 9 points.

Head to Head

The Highlanders have won all three previous encounters against Fijian Drua. They met twice in 2024 with the Highlanders winning 27-24 away and 39-3 at home.

Highlanders Form

The Highlanders are ninth on the table with five defeats and two wins in seven matches. They are only a few points off the top eight, so they can still make the playoffs.

It has been another season of “what if” for the Highlanders. They won two of their opening three games, losing the other by a point.

In their last four matches, the Dunedin side has lost by two, six, seven and nine points, all games they could have won. They will be desperate to take the win this weekend and build some momentum for the second half of the campaign.

Highlanders Injuries & Team News

15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Taniela Filimone, 13 Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Cameron Millar, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Hugh Renton (co-captain), 7 Veveni Lasaqa, 6 Oliver Haig, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Will Stodart, 3 Sosefo Kautai, 2 Henry Bell, 1 Ethan de Groot.

Replacements: 16 Jack Taylor, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Saula Ma’u, 19 Tai Cribb, 20 Nikora Broughton, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Sam Gilbert, 23 Tanielu Tele’a.

Fijian Drua Form

Fijian Drua are having their worst season since joining Super Rugby and will need results to shift soon if they are to challenge for the playoffs. They are currently bottom with one win and six defeats in seven games.

The Drua’s only victory came in a home game against the Chiefs on 8 March. Since then, they have lost away to the Brumbies and the Western Force.

Last week, at home, where the Fijian side are normally very strong, they lost 31-14 to the Crusaders.

Fijian Drua Injuries & Team News

15 Caleb Muntz, 14 Selestino Ravutaumada, 13 Iosefo Masi (co-captain), 12 Inia Tabuavou, 11 Ponipate Longanimasi, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Isoa Tuwai, 6 Joseva Tamani, 5 Isoa Nasilasila, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Mesulame Dolokoto (co-captain), 1 Haereiti Hetet.

Replacements: 16 Zuriel Togiatama, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Samuela Tawake, 19 Leone Rotuisolia, 20 Vilive Miramira, 21 Philip Baselala, 22 Isikeli Rabitu, 23 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre.

Verdict

Highlanders v Fijian Drua

Highlanders are backed to cover the -8.5 handicap at home.

Highlanders -8.5

Handicap

@1,91 - 3 Units

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