Blues vs Crusaders Tips - Blues backed for Super Rugby glory

By Ralph Staniforth

Ralph is a passoniate sports journalist and coach based in Cape Town.

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Blues vs Crusaders predictions for Saturday’s Super Rugby match
Fixture is being played at 09:05 SAST at Eden Park
Blues have won their last 15 games
Preview, tips, stats & team news

Blues beat the Crusaders 27-24 earlier this season (Getty Images)

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This final should go down to the wire at Eden Park. Both sides are in very good form coming into it but the Blues are at home and beat the Crusaders away earlier this season. Home advantage should count in the Blues favour which may help them sneak over the line.

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Blues vs Crusaders Preview

The only certainly for this final is that it will be very close. The teams are evenly matched and with the handicap set at one point the bookmakers think it can go either way.

Blues vs Crusaders Preview
Head to Head
Blues Form
Blues Team News
Crusaders Form
Crusaders Team News
Blues vs Crusaders FAQ

Considering it is being played at Eden Park and the Blues already have a win over the Saders this season, I am going to back them to sneak over the line.

Blues have won their last 15 matches.
Blue beat the Crusaders by 4 points in their last match.
Crusaders have won their last 6 matches.
Crusaders have won in their last 4 Super Rugby final appearances.

Head to Head

Crusaders have dominated this fixture, winning 13 of their last 14 matches. It was however the Blues who won 27-23 earlier this season.

Blues Form

The Blues have been close to faultless this entire season, topping the regular season table with ease. After losing on the opening weekend, the Auckland-based outfit have won 15 straight matches including a quarter and semi-final.

That run of victories included a 27-23 away win against the Crusaders in April this year. It was the first time the Blues had beaten their counterparts in 14 attempts.

The Blues comfortably beat the Highlanders 35-8 in the quarter-final and then saw off the Brumbies 20-19 last week. It was a tight contest which the Brumbies could easily have snatched at the death. It showed that this Blues team is certainly not unbeatable.

Blues Team News

Blues have pretty much their strongest side available. Stephan Perofeta has been superb at fullback all season and his goalkicking has been faultless. Beauden Barrett was at his magnificent best last week and will look to continue that form in the final.

Crusaders Form

Crusaders have enjoyed a good season despite a few wobbles along the way. They finished second on the table and are arguably the one team who are capable of winning at Eden Park.

After a shock 24-21 defeat to the Waratahs at the end of April, the Crusaders have won six matches in a row. Other than the Brumbies and the Reds at times really challenged them.

In the quarter-final the Christchurch-based outfit beat the Reds 37-15. The Chiefs were seen off 20-7 in the semi-final last week.

Crusaders Team News

Danger lurks around every corner in the Crusaders team. They have close to a full on international side.

A key battle will be between Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett at flyhalf. Both are looking at that All Black jersey as well so the competition should be immense.

Blues vs Crusaders FAQ

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Verdict

Blues v Crusaders

The Blues have won 15 matches in a row including against the Crusaders. I am backing them to win the final as well.

Blues Win

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