TAB: The punter's guide to round eight of the Mitre 10 Cup

Auckland took on Wellington in Thursday's round eight Mitre 10 Cup match. Photo / Photosport

The TAB run over the upcoming round of the Mitre 10 Cup and provide some tips for the games ahead.

Best bet

Northland v Waikato
Points Start: Waikato -3.5 ($1.87)

Waikato's great run continued last week with a 31-point victory over Southland, recording their fifth consecutive win in the process. Sevu Reece is in stellar form and is proving to be a handful for any defence he faces. He's a big reason behind the fact that the Mooloos have covered their last five games.

Northland have the task of hosting Waikato on Saturday afternoon, though the points start for the Taniwha looks to be too small. They have covered just one of their past three games and are without usual fullback Matty Wright. Waikato can win by a try or more.

Next best

Southland v Bay of Plenty
Points Start: Bay of Plenty -14.5 ($1.87)

The line has kept coming in for this game since it opened and it now appears to be too short. Bay of Plenty are in a rough patch but Southland have been by far the worst team in the competition this season and haven't lost a game by less than 16 points all season. BOP are more than capable of doing some damage.

Best roughie

Canterbury v Taranaki
1st Scoring Play: Canterbury Try ($2.50)

Taranaki have been woeful over the past month or so and that has been reflected in their slow starts. They have conceded the first try in their past four matches, three of which have been the first scoring plays of the game. Canterbury, on the other hand, have scored a try as the first scoring play in five of their last six games.

Best real wide

Hawke's Bay v Manawatu
Winning Team & Margin: Manawatu 12 & Under ($3.50)

The Magpies and Turbos have both been battling lately, sharing a 1-3 record across their past four games, though Manawatu have this week been bolstered by the return of All Black Ngani Laumape. Joined in the midfield by ranging Rob Thompson, Manawatu now have probably the best centre pairing in the competition and, with Junior Laloifi on their outsides, they could cause an upset in The Bay.

Multi

Waikato -3.5/BOP -14.5/North Harbour -10.5