Highlanders vs Waratahs Predictions - Highlanders are backed to win at home in a Super Rugby clash

Nigel Williams

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Last updated: 06 May 2026

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Nigel Williams 06 May 2026

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Highlanders have home advantage and better recent form.
Waratahs have lost 4 of last 5 away games.
Tip: Back Highlanders to cover the -6.5 handicap.

Expired

Highlanders are backed to win at home in a Super Rugby clash (Getty Images)

Highlanders vs Waratahs Predictions

Highlanders are slight favourites against a Waratahs side that has struggled on the road. My best bet is the Highlanders to cover the -8.5 handicap at home.

Highlanders vs Waratahs Predictions
Head to Head
Highlanders Form
Highlanders Injuries & Team News
Waratahs Form
Waratahs Injuries & Team News

Highlanders have won two of the last 5 home matches.
Highlanders have had mixed results against the Waratahs, winning 2 of the last 5 meetings.
Highlanders come into this match on the back of a 27-17 win against Moana Pasifika.
Waratahs have lost 4 of the last 5 away matches.
Waratahs come into this match on the back of a 35-20 loss at the Crusaders.

Head to Head

Highlanders have won two of the last five meetings against the Waratahs.

Highlanders Form

Highlanders have had a mixed run of form at home, winning two of their last five home matches in all competitions. They come into this match on the back of a 27-17 win against Moana Pasifika.

Their previous home results include a loss against the Chiefs (26-23), a win against the Force (39-31), followed by losses against the Hurricanes (50-7) and the Brumbies (14-10).

Highlanders are currently eighth in Super Rugby, with 20 points after 11 matches.

Home advantage could give the Highlanders the edge in what looks a fairly even matchup.

Highlanders Injuries & Team News

Starting line-up:

1 Ethan de Groot (co-c), 2 Jack Taylor, 3 Angus Ta'avao, 4 Tomas Lavanini, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 7 Lucas Casey, 8 Nikora Broughton, 9 Adam Lennox, 10 Cameron Millar, 11 Jonah Lowe, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), 13 Jona Nareki, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Replacements:

16 Soane Vikena, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Saula Ma'u, 19 Oliver Haig, 20 Sean Withy, 21 Nic Shearer, 22 Taine Robinson, 23 Xavier Tito-Harris.

Waratahs Form

Waratahs have struggled on the road, losing four of their last five matches in all competitions. The Waratahs head into this match on the back of a 35-20 loss at the Crusaders.

Their previous away results include losses at the Blues (46-6) and the Reds (26-17), a win at the Brumbies (30-28), and a loss at the Chiefs (42-14).

Waratahs are currently seventh in Super Rugby, with 20 points after 10 matches.

Waratahs Injuries & Team News

Starting line-up:

1 Isaac Kailea, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 3 Dan Botha, 4 Miles Amatosero, 5 Angus Blyth, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 7 Charlie Gamble, 8 Pete Samu, 9 Jake Gordon (c), 10 Jack Debreczeni, 11 Sid Harvey, 12 Lawson Creighton, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 15 Max Jorgensen.

Replacements: 16 Folau Fainga'a, 17 Jack Barrett, 18 Apolosi Ranawai, 19 Clem Halaholo, 20 Leafi Talataina, 21 Teddy Wilson, 22 Jack Bowen, 23 Harry Potter.

Verdict

Highlanders v Waratahs

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

Highlanders -8.5

Handicap

@1.91 - 3 Units

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