Waratahs vs Highlanders Predictions - Tahs' have value in handicap market
- Waratahs focus on a stronger 2025 after poor 2024 season.
- Highlanders finished 6th in 2024; reached quarter-finals.
- Waratahs expected to win and cover -6.5 spread in Sydney.
Waratahs to start 2025 with a bang (Getty Imagges)
Waratahs vs Highlanders Preview
The Waratahs will be confident of having a better season in 2025 given their squad improvements of late. In Sydney, the Tahs' should have the advantage against the Highlanders - the hosts are backed to cover the -6.5 spread.
- Waratahs vs Highlanders Preview
- Head to Head
- Waratahs Form
- Waratahs Injuries & Team News
- Highlanders Form
- Highlanders Injuries & Team News
- Waratahs lost 12 of their 14 matches last season.
- Highlanders finished 6th on the 2024 Super Rugby table.
- Highlanders have won 3 of their last 5 games against the Waratahs.
Head to Head
Three of the last five encounters between these two sides have gone in the Highlanders favour.
Waratahs Form
The Waratahs will certainly be looking for a more positive year after finishing bottom of the Super Rugby Pacific table in 2024. They won two matches of their 14, losing 12 and had a -128 points difference.
With just 13 points, the Tahs’ were five points off Moana just above them. The Waratahs won two games in 2024 and both of those came against the Crusaders – both home and away. They failed to register a win against any other opponent.
The Sydney-based outfit certainly have no excuses this year as the Melbourne Rebels misfortune has benefited all Aussie franchises. With the Rebels now defunct, players from Melbourne have joined other sides, including the Waratahs.
Waratahs Injuries & Team News
15 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 12 Joey Walton, 11 Max Jorgensen, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Jake Gordon (captain), 8 Langi Gleeson, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Rob Leota, 5 Miles Amatosero, 4 Hugh Sinclair, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Dave Porecki, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Mahe Vailanu, 17 Tom Lambert, 18 Siosifa Amone, 19 Ben Grant, 20 Jamie Adamson, 21 Jack Grant, 22 Jack Bowen, 23 Darby Lancaster.
Highlanders Form
The Highlanders had a good season in 2024, finishing sixth on the table and qualified for the quarter-finals. They won six and lost eight of their league games.
In the quarter-final, the Dunedin-based outfit fell short 32-16 in Canberra against the Brumbies. However, making the play offs ahead of the likes of the Crusaders was a good achievement.
A similar showing in 2025 will certainly be seen as a success for a franchise that does lack international quality.
Highlanders Injuries & Team News
15 Sam Gilbert, 14 Michael Manson, 13 Tanielu Tele’a, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), 11 Caleb Tangitau, 10 Taine Robinson, 9 Nathan Hastie, 8 Hugh Renton (co-captain), 7 Sean Withy, 6 Lui Naeata, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Saula Ma’u, 2 Soane Mikaele Vikena, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Henry Bell, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Sefo Kautai, 19 Nikora Broughton, 20 Veveni Lasaqa, 21 Folau Fakatava, 22 Cameron Millar, 23 Finn Hurley.
Verdict
Waratahs were poor in 2024, but they have the squad to do much better in 2025. I'm backing them to get the win and cover the -7.5 handicap.
Waratahs -7.5
Handicap
@-109.89 - 5 Units
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