Tasman vs Auckland Predictions - Auckland can get close against in-form Tasman

Marc Thomas

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Last updated: 30 Sep 2024

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Marc Thomas 30 Sep 2024

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Tasman to reclaim top table position with a win.
Auckland needs victory to stay in playoff contention.
Tasman: 7 wins from 8; Auckland: 3 wins from 4.

Expired

Auckland can challenge Tasman in must-win game (Getty Images)

Tasman vs Auckland Preview

Tasman have enjoyed a superb season to date with seven victories from their eight fixtures thus far. They do, however, come into this game off the back of their first defeat at the weekend.

Tasman vs Auckland Preview
Head to Head
Tasman Form
Tasman Injuries & Team News
Auckland Form
Auckland Injuries & Team News

While top of the table is on the line for the hosts, Auckland need a win to keep them in contention for the playoffs. They have won three of their last four games, so I fancy the visitors to get within the 12-point handicap.

Tasman have won 7 of their last 8 matches.
Tasman beat Auckland in their last meeting.
Auckland have won 3 of their last 4 matches.

Head to Head

Tasman have won three of their last five matches against Auckland. Last season, Tasman won 24-12 at home.

Tasman Form

Tasman go into this fixture third on the table but still have two games remaining. Should they win this fixture, they will go into the final round at the weekend top of the table.

Up until this past weekend, Tasman were the only unbeaten side left in the NPC having won seven from seven. However, they rested players at Otago on Saturday due to this midweek fixture, a match they lost 47-31.

The result will be disappointing for Tasman, but the performance wasn’t bad, considering the changes made. They are still the form side of the competition and will certainly have their eyes on the top.

Tasman Injuries & Team News

Tasman rested quite a few players this past weekend and they should all return for this encounter.

Auckland Form

Auckland have had a very poor season by their standards. Going into the competition, they were among the favourites for the title, but they find themselves down in 11th with three wins from eight.

It was their poor start that cost them dearly, losing their first four games. With three wins from four since, their form has somewhat improved.

Three successive wins over North Harbour, Northland and Southland got Auckland back on track, but this past weekend they went down 36-35 at Hawkes Bay.

They are still in the running for a top eight finish but with four points separating them and eighth, they will need to win both of their remaining games.

Auckland Injuries & Team News

Auckland game within a whisker of victory at the weekend. They may have to risk some more players in this must-win game.

Verdict

Tasman Mako v Auckland

I am backing Auckland to get within 12 points in this fixture.

Auckland +12

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