Waratahs v Reds: Super Rugby Friday preview

The Allianz Arena in Sydney plays host to a major all-Australian Super Rugby Pacific clash on Friday evening as Waratahs welcome in the Reds.

The visitors from Queensland stand in fourth place on the ladder heading into this round of fixtures, but they have won just one more game than the Tahs, so there is little to choose between these two sides.

Waratahs started the season well, but four losses in their last five matches have left them struggling to secure a Finals spot, while the Reds are also in poor form - having lost three of their last four.

Waratahs v Reds betting preview

McKellar makes major changes

Tahs head coach Dan McKellar has made six changes to try and avoid his side's season from petering out in disappointing fashion, with the main alteration seeing Wallabies international Tane Edmed return at flyhalf to partner Jake Gordon in the halves.

Gordon recently pledged his future to the Waratahs by signing a new contract running until 2027, giving the camp a major boost ahead of a massive clash with the Reds.

McKellar is also happy to have both hooker David Porecki and lock Fergus Lee-Warner back to bolster his pack, with Lawson Creighton, Hugh Sinclair, Lalakai Foketi, Ethan Dobbins, Ben Grant and Jamie Adamson all dropping out of the starting XV.

He told reporters: "We've got to…put in a performance on Friday night in what is a huge game, one that we can be really proud of."

The positive for the New South Walians is that they have a 100 per cent record at Allianz Arena this season, while their record on the road is a dismal five defeats from five matches played, including a 40-17 thrashing at the Brumbies last time out.

One player who has impressed in recent weeks despite the Tahs' struggles is fullback Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who has scored two tries and assisted three others in his last four appearances.

Suaalii is 3.10 to cross at anytime against the Reds, with scrumhalf available at 2.62 in the same market.

Dauganu back to boost Reds

Reds head coach Les Kiss, like his counterpart McKellar, has also made changes to try and arrest the slump in form which is threatening his side’s place in Finals.

Filipo Daugunu is fit again and is recalled to start alongside Dre Pakeho in the centres, while Tom Lynagh has been handed the nod at flyhalf and partners skipper Tate McDermott in the halves.

Dauganu has six tries to his name this season in Super Rugby, while hooker Richie Asiata is a player in top form, having crossed six times in his last seven matches, including four in his last three.

Asiata is 2.37 to score a try at anytime against the Waratahs, while the returning Dauganu is priced at 1.90.

The visitors also head to Sydney with the knowledge that they have a superb record against the Waratahs in recent times, having won seven of the last eight meetings between these two sides.

They have also won on their last three visits to the Tahs and are available at 2.80 to win by a margin of 1-12 points on Friday.

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Waratahs v Reds odds

Waratahs -2.30
Reds - 1.62

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.