Moana Pasifika vs Highlanders Predictions - Highlanders to bounce back with a win

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

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Brad Newcomb 1 hour ago

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Highlanders have defeated Moana Pasifika five times in six meetings.
Moana Pasifika are on a losing streak.
Highlanders favoured to cover the -15.5 handicap.

Highlanders have an excellent record against Moana Pasifika (Getty Images)

Moana Pasifika vs Highlanders Predictions

Moana Pasifika vs Highlanders Predictions
Head to Head
Moana Pasifika Form
Highlanders Form
Team News

Moana Pasifika often lose to the Highlanders and are on a losing streak in the league. The Highlanders have struggled to win on the road recently, but have never lost away to Moana Pasifika.

Highlanders have lost 4 of their last 5 fixtures.
Highlanders have lost 7 consecutive away games.
Highlanders have won 5 of their last 6 matches against Moana Pasifika.
Moana Pasifika have lost 5 consecutive fixtures.
Moana Pasifika have won 2 of their last 5 home games.
Moana Pasifika have lost consecutive home matches to the Highlanders.

Head to Head

The Highlanders have the advantage with five victories to one against Moana Pasifika in six meetings.

Moana Pasifika Form

Moana Pasifika had no answer in the Super Rugby match against the Crusaders last weekend, losing 50-21 at home after trailing 22-14 at half-time.

Before that, Moana Pasifika lost 35-19 to the Western Force at home and beat the Fijian Drua 40-26 away before losing 52-10 to the Hurricanes, 57-24 to the Chiefs, and 43-7 to the Blues away.

Moana Pasifika are last in the Super Rugby table with four points from six matches.

Moana Pasifika have been in a slump, as their defence has not been up to par, and they have only recorded one victory in six games against the Highlanders, although their opponents have not been at their best lately.

Highlanders Form

The Highlanders were outclassed in their Super Rugby clash against the Hurricanes last weekend, losing 50-7 at home after trailing 19-7 at the break.

The Highlanders have played five other fixtures this season. They defeated the Crusaders 25-23 at home, lost 26-23 to the Chiefs at home, lost 36-14 to the Reds away, and beat the Western Force 39-31 at home before losing 29-18 to the Crusaders away.

The Highlanders are 8th in the Super Rugby standings with nine points from six games.

The Highlanders have struggled to win on their travels recently, having lost seven in a row, but they will have the belief that they can turn their fortunes around, as they have defeated Moana Pasifika three times in a row away from home.

Team News

Moana Pasifika

Starting XV: Abraham Pole, Millennium Sanerivi, Feleti Sae Ta’ufo’ou, Veikoso Poloniati, Allan Craig, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Niko Jones, Dominic Ropeti, Joel Lam, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Glen Vaihu, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Tevita Latu, Solomon Alaimalo, William Havili

Replacements: Samiuela Moli, Malakai Hala-Ngatai, Paula Latu, Alefosio Aho, Ola Tauelangi, Siaosi Nginingini, Patrick Pellegrini, Tevita Ofa

Highlanders

Starting XV: Ethan de Groot, Jack Taylor, Angus Ta'avao, Oliver Haig, Tomas Lavanini, Te Kamaka Howden, Veveni Lasaqa, Hugh Renton (co-c), Nic Shearer, Reesjan Pasitoa, Jona Nareki, Tanielu Tele’a, Jonah Lowe, Caleb Tangitau, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Replacements: Henry Bell, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Rohan Wingham, Will Stodart, Sean Withy, Adam Lennox, Andrew Knewstubb, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c)