Auckland have won their last two and have a very strong record against their opponents. I am backing the hosts to cover.
Key Stats - Auckland have Won last Two
- Auckland have won 4 of their last 5 home matches against Manawatu.
- Auckland beat Manawatu by 23 at home last season.
- Manawatu have lost 16 of their last 17 away games.
- Manawatu have lost 6 of their last 7 matches against Auckland
Auckland lead 7-3
Auckland have the advantage over Manawatu, with seven victories to three in ten meetings in the National Provincial Championship.
Auckland finding Form at the right Time
Auckland scored two converted tries in the first half against Tasman last weekend, going into the break trailing 15-14.
In the second half, Auckland scored a converted try and a penalty to come out on top against Tasman, winning 24-22 away from home.
Earlier in their campaign, the team from Eden Park lost 38-31 to Canterbury away, beat Wellington 34-31 at home, and lost 44-31 at home to Hawke's Bay, 27-19 away to North Harbour, and 22-19 at home to Bay of Plenty before defeating Counties Manukau 43-33 at home.
Auckland are 11th in the National Provincial Championship table with 18 points from eight matches.
Auckland have won four of their last five home games against Manawatu and can still make the play-offs if they secure another victory and other results going their way in their remaining two fixtures of the regular season.
Manawatu Struggles to Continue
The Manawatu Turbos produced a solid first half against Waikato last weekend, scoring three converted tries to lead 21-12 at half-time.
However, Manawatu could only add two penalties to their tally in the second half, losing 36-27 away to Waikato.
Before that result, the Turbos lost 40-14 to Northland away from home, edged Southland 36-35 at home and lost 29-27 to Otago at home and 59-77 to Hawke's Bay away, respectively, before beating North Harbour 43-40 at home and Bay of Plenty 29-12 away.
Manawatu are tenth in the National Provincial Championship standings with 20 points after eight games.
Manawatu have been in decent nick lately, but their away form continues to let them down, and they will have to find a way to beat Auckland to keep their chances of making the play-offs alive; however, they have lost six of their last seven matches against their opponents.
Team News & Starting Lineups
Auckland
Harlyn Saunoa, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, and Payton Spencer scored a try each against Tasman last weekend.
Alex Harford kicked over three conversions and a penalty in the match.
Starting XV: Joshua Fisituia (C), Nathaniel Pole, Angus Ta’avao-Matau, Tai Cribb, Harvey Cordukes, Randall Baker, Caleb Woodley, Che Clark, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Alex Harford, Harlyn Saunoa, Garouw Basson, Xavi Taele, Xavier Tito-Harris, Rico Simpson
Replacements: Jay Fonokalafi, Ben Ake, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Liam Hallam-Eames, Titi Nofoagatotoa, James Arscott, Siale Pahulu, Payton Spencer
Manawatu Turbos
Hunter Kennedy, Rory Woods, and TK Howden each scored a try against Waikato last weekend.
George Worboys slotted three conversions and two penalties in the match.
Starting XV: Malakai Hala-Ngata, Raymond Tuputupu, Flyn Yates, Robert Harley, Taine Roirii, Te Kamaka Howden (C), Mosese Bason, Brayden Iose, Doug Philipson, Reece Macdonald, John Tapueluelu, James Tofa, Kyle Brown, Taniela Filimone, Drew Wild
Replacements: Mesulame Dolokoto, Liam Pratt, Feletise Ta’ufonou, Reuben Allen, Roby Woods, Jai Tamati, Liam O’Connor, Ngani Laumape