Hawkes Bay are unbeaten this season and unbeaten in their last five matches going back to last season. They are strong favourites to cover.
Key Stats - Hawkes Bay Unbeaten at Home
- Hawke's Bay have won 5 consecutive home games.
- Hawke's Bay have won 4 consecutive home matches against Otago.
- Otago have lost 3 of their last 4 fixtures against Hawke's Bay.
The Bay Comfortable Ahead on H2H
In their last 16 encounters, Hawkes Bay hold a dominant 13-3 win ratio against Otago.
Hawke's Bay Superb this Season
Hawke's Bay were in superb touch in the first half against Southland last weekend, scoring five tries and three conversions to lead 31-0 at the break.
However, Hawke's Bay could only manage a try in the second half, but held onto their advantage to secure a 31-21 away win over Southland.
Before that result, the Magpies beat Wellington 55-33 away, Tasman 50-19 at home, Auckland 44-31 away, and Manawatu 59-17 at home.
Hawke's Bay are first in the National Provincial Championship standings with 25 points after five matches.
Hawke's Bay continue to lead the way in the league after recording their fifth consecutive victory and have defeated Otago four consecutive times at home, giving them the edge needed to come out on top.
Otago Struggle on the Road
Otago scored four tries and three conversions in the first half against Waikato last weekend; however, they went into half-time trailing 28-26.
The home side added two converted tries and a penalty to their tally in the second half to come out on top 43-38 against Waikato.
Earlier in their campaign, the Blue and Gold defeated Southland 41-14 away from home and lost 19-15 to Canterbury at home before beating Manawatu 29-27 away, and Wellington 61-22 at home.
Otago are third in the NPC table with 21 points after five rounds.
Otago have been playing well lately, winning three in a row, but they have struggled to beat Hawke's Bay in recent match-ups, losing three of their last four against their opponents.
Team News & Lineups
Hawke's Bay
Folau Fakatava and Frank Lochore each scored a brace against Southland last weekend.
Will Cole and Hunter Morrison contributed a try each.
Will Cole landed three conversions in the match.
Starting XV: Clement Castets, Kianu Kereru-Symes, Joe Apikotoa, Tom Allen, Hunter Morrison, Frank Lochore (C), Cooper Flanders, Tiaki Fabish, Folau Fakatava, Harry Godfrey, Darby Lancaster, Lukas Ripley, Bailyn Sullivan, Nic Benn, Zarn Sullivan
Replacements: Jacob Devery, Hadlee Hay-Horton, Josh Smith, Geoff Cridge, Sam Smith, Kade Manuel, Will Cole, Neria Fomai
Otago
Henry Bell scored a brace against Waikato last weekend.
Jona Nareki, Lucas Casey, Ben Lopas, and Sam Nemec-Vial contributed a try each.
Cameron Millar slotted five conversions and a penalty in the match.
Starting XV: Benjamin Lopas, Henry Bell, Rohan Wingham, Will Stodart, Oliver Haig, Lucas Casey, Slade McDowall, Christian Lio-Willie (C), Kieran McClea, Cameron Millar, Josh Whaanga, Jake Te Hiwi, Josh Timu, Jae Broomfield, Sam Nemec-Vial
Replacements: Nic Souchon, Marley Pearce, Moana Takataka, Harry Irving, Charles Elton, Joel Lam, Patrick Pellegrini, Riley Lucas