Chiefs vs Crusaders Predictions - Chiefs to edge Crusaders at home in a closely contested Super Rugby semi-final clash

Nigel Williams

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

Nigel Williams 1 hour ago

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Chiefs favored with a -4.5 handicap due to strong home form
Chiefs on a 7-match home winning streak; Crusaders recently beat Blues
Prediction: Chiefs to edge Crusaders in a tight semi-final

Chiefs to edge Crusaders at home in a closely contested Super Rugby semi-final clash (Getty Images)

Chiefs vs Crusaders Predictions

The Chiefs are favourites due to their strong home record. My best bet is Chiefs to cover -4.5 handicap.

Chiefs vs Crusaders Predictions
Head to Head
Chiefs Form
Chiefs Injuries & Team News
Crusaders Form
Crusaders Injuries & Team News

The Chiefs have won their last 7 home matches.
The Chiefs beat the Reds 46-24 in their last match.
Crusaders have won 5 of their last 8 matches.
Crusaders beat the Blues 52-31 in their last match.

Head to Head

The Chiefs have won two of the last five matches against the Crusaders.

Chiefs Form

The Chiefs advanced to the Super Rugby semi-finals after a comprehensive 46-24 home win over the Reds. Despite torrential weather and a tight first half that ended 22-17 to the Chiefs, they pulled away in the second half to secure their victory.

The side from Hamilton has been in excellent form at home this season. Before their last match, they beat Moana Pasifika 57-24, the Waratahs 42-14, the Hurricanes 22-17, Fijian Drua 42-22, the Highlanders 42-12, and the Blues 59-34.

The Chiefs finished second in Super Rugby in regular-season standings, with 51 points from 14 matches.

Fly-half Damian McKenzie was the standout performer in the 46-24 victory over the Reds, scoring 26 points.

Kyren Taumoefolau scored a double, while Samisoni Taukei'aho and Isaac Hutchinson also crossed the try line.

Chiefs Injuries & Team News

Starting XV:

1 Ollie Norris, 2 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3 Sione Ahio, 4 Josh Lord, 5 Tupou Vaa'i, 6 Samipeni Finau, 7 Luke Jacobson, 8 Simon Parker, 9 Cortez Ratima, 10 Damian McKenzie, 11 Kyren Taumoefolau, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 14 Liam Coombes-Fabling, 15 Isaac Hutchinson.

Replacements:

16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 George Dyer, 19 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Kaylum Boshier, 21 Xavier Roe, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Leroy Carter.

Crusaders Form

The Crusaders defeated the Blues 52-31 in Christchurch last weekend to reach the semi-finals. After trailing 7-0 early, the Crusaders took control following a Blues red card midway through the first half to build a dominant 33-14 halftime lead.

Crusaders have had a decent run of form recently. They lost 31-26 to the Reds and 31-26 to the Force, beat the Waratahs 35-20, lost 38-31 to the Hurricanes, before defeating the Blues 36-20, the Chiefs 36-32, and the Hurricanes 47-14.

Crusaders finished third in Super Rugby, with 41 points from 14 matches.

Crusaders Injuries & Team News

Starting XV:

1 Finlay Brewis, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Fletcher Newell, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 5 Jamie Hannah, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 7 Leicester Fainga'anuku, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 9 Noah Hotham, 10 Taha Kemara, 11 Sevu Reece, 12 David Havili, 13 Braydon Ennor, 14 Chay Fihaki, 15 Johnny McNicholl.

Replacements:

16 Manumaua Letiu, 17 Jack Sexton, 18 George Bower, 19 Tahlor Cahill, 20 Dominic Gardiner, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Rivez Reihana, 23 Macca Springer.

Verdict

Chiefs v Crusaders

Chiefs to edge Crusaders at home in a closely contested Super Rugby semi-final clash and are tipped to cover -4.5

Chiefs -4.5

Handicap

@1.91 - 3 Units

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