Crusaders vs Blues Predictions - Crusaders backed to continue their home dominance in a high-stakes Qualifying Final between Super Rugby’s fiercest rivals.

Nigel Williams

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Last updated: 23 minutes ago

Nigel Williams 23 minutes ago

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Crusaders have won their last 6 home matches & 5 of last 6 vs Blues.
Blues lost 3 of their last 5 away games, including heavy defeat to the Chiefs.
Crusaders favored to cover -8.5 handicap in the Qualifying Final.

Crusaders backed to continue their home dominance in a high-stakes Qualifying Finals

Crusaders vs Blues Predictions

Crusaders are favourites, backed by their impressive head-to-head and strong home form. My best bet is the Crusaders to cover the -8.5 handicap at home.

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

Crusaders have won their last 6 home matches.
Crusaders have won 5 of the last 6 matches against the Blues.
Crusaders beat the Hurricanes 47-14 in their last home match.
Blues have lost 3 of their last 5 away matches.
Blues lost 59-34 to the Chiefs in their last away match.

Head to Head

Crusaders have won five of their last six matches against the Blues. Crusaders recently beat the Blues 36-20.

Crusaders Form

The Crusaders powered past the table-topping Hurricanes, 47-14, at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch last weekend, after leading 26-7 at half-time, which pushed the defending champions into third place and a home Qualifying Finals spot.

Crusaders have been impressive at home recently, remaining unbeaten in their last six matches. They defeated the Highlanders (29-18), Fijian Drua (69-26), the Waratahs (35-20), the Blues (36-20) and the Chiefs (36-32).

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

Crusaders Injuries & Team News

The Crusaders have been forced into a reshuffle in the front row this week, with Fletcher Newell and Seb Calder both ruled out through injury. George Bower shifts from loosehead to tighthead prop, adding experience and versatility to a forward pack that will need to stand up in a physical contest.

Starting XV:

1 Finlay Brewis, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 George Bower, 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 Dallas McLeod, 14 Chay Fihaki, 15 Johnny McNicholl.

Replacements:

16 Manumaua Letiu, 17 Jack Sexton, 18 Gus Brown, 19 Tahlor Cahill, 20 Dominic Gardiner, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Rivez Reihana, 23 Braydon Ennor.

Blues Form

The Blues lost 59-34 to the Chiefs last weekend, after trailing 19-15 at half-time. A dominant 40-point second-half surge by the Chiefs handed the visiting Blues their third consecutive defeat.

The Blues have been inconsistent on the road recently, beating the Waratahs (35-20), losing to the Hurricanes (42-19), beating Moana Pasifika (45-19), and losing to the Crusaders (36-20).

Blues finished fourth in Super Rugby, with 38 points from 14 matches.

The Blues' recent form has seen them drop from third to fourth place and surrender a home Qualifying Finals spot.

The Blues will be looking for an improved performance after suffering a heavy defeat to the Chiefs last weekend.

Blues Injuries & Team News

Starting line-up:

1 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 2 Bradley Slater, 3 Marcel Renata, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 5 Sam Darry, 6 Torian Barnes, 7 Anton Segner, 8 Malachi Wrampling-Alec, 9 Sam Nock, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Pita Ahki, 13 Xavi Taele, 14 AJ Lam, 15 Zarn Sullivan.

Replacements:

16 Eli Oudenryn, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Flyn Yates, 19 Josh Beehre, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Corey Evans, 23 Payton Spencer.

Verdict

Crusaders v Blues

The Crusaders enter the playoffs in excellent form and have been dominant at home, while the Blues have struggled for consistency away from Auckland. Back the hosts to cover the -8.5 handicap.