Happy Easter! Hopefully it is filled with plenty of chocolate and some time in front of the TV watching the rugby.
Unfortunately, there are just three games in Round 7 of Super Rugby Pacific, with the Crusaders and Fijian Drua getting us going on Good Friday.
Good luck with your tips. Haven’t got a tipping comp together yet? Don’t worry, you’ve still got plenty of time, join ESPN Footytips today!
[Note: all odds correct 12pm 1/4]
Friday, April 3
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand 5:05pm (AEDT)
Crusaders: Will Jordan (capt), Chay Fihaki, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Dallas McLeod, Sevu Reece, Taha Kemara, Noah Hotham; Christian Lio-Willie, Johnny Lee, Corey Kellow, Jamie Hannah, Antonio Shalfoon, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, George Bower. Replacements: George Bell, Jack Sexton, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Dom Gardiner, Louie Chapman, Rivez Reihana, Braydon Ennor.
Drua: Iliasia Droasese, Joji Nasova, Virimi Vakatawa, Iosefo Namoce, Manasa Mataele, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa; Elia Canakaivata, Kitione Salawa, Etonia Waqa, Isoa Nasilasila (c), Joseva Tamani, Mesake Doge, Zuriel Togiatama, Haereiti Hetet. Replacements: Sairusi Ravudi, Emosi Tuqiri, Peni Ravai, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Tuwai, Phillip Baselala, Kemu Valetini, Isikeli Rabitu
Officials: Referee: Paul Williams; Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey, Mike Winter; TMO: Aaron Paterson
Prediction: The Crusaders will farewell Apollo Projects Stadium in this game, bringing to an end a 15-year run in the venue that was originally meant to be a temporary solution. What the Crusaders have achieved during that time is incredible. They will be fresh off the bye and could run riot here, really sending off the venue in scintillating fashion. Crusaders by 30.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Crusaders: $1.03 -22.5 $1.85; Drua: $8.00, +22.5 $1.90
Saturday, April 4
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand, 5:05pm (AEDT)
Chiefs: Liam Coombes-Fabling, Emoni Narawa, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Kyren Taumoefolau, Josh Jacomb, Xavier Roe; Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (capt), Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, Reuben O’Neill, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris. Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Jared Profitt, George Dyer, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Brown, Daniel Sinkinson.
Waratahs: Sid Harvey, Andrew Kellaway, Triston Reilly, Joey Walton, Max Jorgensen Jack Debreczeni, Teddy Wilson; Pete Samu, Charlie Gamble, Clem Halahalo, Miles Amatosero, Matt Philip, Dan Botha, Ethan Dobbins, Tom Lambert. Replacements: Folau Fainga’a, Jack Barrett, Siosifa Amone, Angus Blyth, Jamie Adamson, Jack Bowen, Jake Gordon, George Poolman
Officials: Referee: James Doleman; Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon; TMO: Glenn Newman
Prediction: This is the game of the round, with the Waratahs heading to Hamilton off the back of their finest performance of the year. But they will need to go up again on that win over the Brumbies, while coach Dan McKellar has stiffened his midfield by restoring Triston Reilly to the centres, while Charlie Gamble comes back in for a breakdown scrap. The Chiefs meanwhile did just enough in Perth, the big return journey leading to a break for Damian McKenzie, who is replaced by Liam Coombes-Fabling at fullback. The Chiefs are rightful red-hot favourites, but this one might not be as clear cut as the line below suggests. Chiefs by 10.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Chiefs: $1.06, -20.5 $1.90; Waratahs: $8, +20.5 $1.85
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia, 7:35pm (AEDT)
Reds: Jock Campbell, Filipo Daugunu, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Treyvon Pritchard, Carter Gordon, Kalani Thomas; Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Joe Brial, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Nick Bloomfield, Josh Nasser, Aidan Ross. Replacements: Matt Faessler, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Zane Nonggorr, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Louis Werchon, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan.
Force: Mac Grealy, Dylan Pietsch, George Bridge, Bayley Kuenzle, Darby Lancaster, Ben Donaldson, Henry Robertson; Vaiolini Ekuasi, Jack Daly, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Darcy Swain, Franco Molina, Misinale Epenisa, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson. Replacements: Nic Dolly, Sef Fa’agase, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Nathan Hastie, Kurtley Beale, Zac Lomax
Officials: Referee: Ben O’Keeffe; Assistant Referees: Todd Petrie, Warwick Lahmert; TMO: Richard Kelly
Prediction: Zac Lomax will play his first game of rugby in 15 years when he comes off the bench for the Force, while there is further good news for the West Aussies with Dylan Pietsch named for his first game f the season. Jack Daly is meanwhile a new name in the pack. The Reds were poor in Wellington where they were hammered by the Hurricanes, with coach Les Kiss recalling Carter Gordon and Josh Flook to his starting backline. If the Force can compete up front, they now have a backline capable of doing some damage. Still, the Reds should be too strong at home. Reds by 6.
Odds [tab.com.au]: Reds: $1.16, -12.5 $1.87; Force: $4.80, +12.5 $1.87
