Highlanders can leave Reds feeling blue

Super Rugby
Sky Sports 3, 8.35am Friday

The Reds toughed out a gutsy home 16-15 win over Australian conference winners the Brumbies in Brisbane last week but bookmakers look right to expect a tough trip to Dunedin.

The Landers will be brimming with pride after beating the British & Irish Lions a month ago and 16 of the players involved in that clash are named in this 23 including All Blacks Liam Coltman, Malakai Fekitoa and Waisake Naholo.

Another All Black, Liam Squire, and a few Maori All Blacks return to offset the absence of Aaron and Ben Smith and the injury to last season's top tryscorer Matt Faddes. The Reds are without their most consistent attacker, Samu Kerevi.

Go for the Highlanders to be in front by 11 points or more at the break as while the visitors have nothing to play for, the hosts may relax in anticipation of a tough away quarter-final at either the Crusaders or Lions next week.

Recommendation
Highlanders -10.5 on first half handicap
1pt 10-11 Betfair, BetBright, Paddy Power