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Crusaders vs Chiefs Predictions - Chiefs to edge the Crusaders in crunch derby clash

Brad Newcomb

Editor

Last updated: 20 May 2026

Brad Newcomb 20 May 2026

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Chiefs have won 7 consecutive matches, including 5 of 6 away.
Crusaders must win for play-off hopes but have lost 3 of last 5.
Chiefs are tipped to cover the -2.5 handicap in this derby.

Expired

The Chiefs have been in excellent form this season (Getty Images)

The Crusaders must win to stay in contention for the play-offs, but they have lacked consistency lately. The Chiefs are on a lengthy winning streak and have been in excellent form on the road this season.

Chiefs have won 7 consecutive fixtures.
Chiefs have won 5 of their last 6 away games.
Crusaders have lost 3 of their last 5 fixtures.

Head to Head

The Crusaders have the advantage with 29 victories to 22 against the Chiefs in 51 meetings.

Crusaders Form

The Crusaders produced a solid second half of rugby against the Blues recently, winning 36-20 at home after trailing 13-12 at the break.

Before that result, the team from Christchurch had also enjoyed additional success at home this season. They lost 50-24 to the Brumbies before beating the Highlanders 29-18, Fijian Drua 69-26, and the Waratahs 35-20.

The home side are 4th in the Super Rugby standings with 32 points from 12 matches.

The Crusaders must win to take a step closer to reaching the season-ending play-offs, but they have been struggling to win lately, losing three of their last five outings, although they have played their best rugby at home during their campaign. However, they will have to play well to beat the Chiefs, as the visitors are on a lengthy winning streak.

Chiefs Form

The Chiefs were too good for the Highlanders last weekend, winning 42-12 at home after leading their opponents 21-7 at half-time.

The Hamilton based side have performed well on the road this season. They defeated the Blues 19-15 and the Highlanders 26-23, and lost 33-24 to the Brumbies before beating the Western Force 24-14, Moana Pasifika 62-17, and the Reds 31-21.

The Chiefs are 2nd in the Super Rugby table with 45 points from 12 matches.

The team from Waikato have been in fine form lately, winning seven consecutive games, including three in a row on the road, giving them the edge needed to emerge victorious against the Crusaders.

Starting Line-ups

Crusaders

Starting XV: George Bower, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Ethan Blackadder, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Dallas McLeod, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan

Replacements: Manumaua Leita, Jack Sexton, Seb Calder, Liam Jack, Dom Gardiner, Kyle Preston, Taha Kemara, Johnny McNicholl

Chiefs

Starting XV: Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Sione Ahio, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson (c), Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Kyren Taumoefolau, Quinn Tupaea, Kyle Brown, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Isaac Hutchinson

Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Jared Proffit, George Dyer, Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Simon Parker, Xavier Roe, Tepaea Cook-Savage, Daniel Rona

Verdict

Crusaders v Chiefs

The Chiefs have been in great touch lately and are tipped to cover the -2.5 handicap in their derby clash with the Crusaders.

Chiefs -2.5

Handicap

@1,91 - 3 Units

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Chiefs Win

Result

@1,72 - 2 Units

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Brad graduated from the University of South Africa with a Bcom-Management Accounting degree and has a financial background.

His love of sport has seen him venture down the road of researching sporting history for the past several years, specifically boxing, cricket and football.

Other sports of particular interest are golf, tennis, horse racing and motorsports.

Additionally, he spends his time researching the military history of his home country of South Africa.

He is an ardent Liverpool supporter and is known to DJ and release music on occasion.