Crusaders vs Highlanders Predictions & Tips - No stopping the rampant Crusaders

The Crusaders have tasted victory in all four of their fixtures so far this campaign and are cruising towards another title. They should be far too strong for the Highlanders to handle in this clash. The visitors have lost five of their last seven against the Crusaders by 20+ points. The tip for this one is the Saders to cover the -19 handicap with ease.

Crusaders have won their last seven clashes with the Highlanders.

Their last match was in round one of the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa competition where the Crusaders won 26-13 away.

The Crusaders are cruising at the top of the Super Rugby Aotearoa table on 18 points, eight clear of second place. They look to be cruising to a second successive title.

We are now exactly halfway through the season with all teams having played four matches. Last week the Crusaders had a bye.

On the opening weekend the Saders’ beat the Highlanders 26-13 away. That was followed by a 33-16 victory over the Hurricanes and a 39-17 win over the Chiefs.

In their last match the Crusaders won 43-27 in a tight contest against the Blues in Auckland. It is rather ominous for the rest of the field that the Crusaders have not even been at the top of their game this season. 

The Crusaders go into this match with a full strength lineup. Leicester Fainga’anuku retains his place on the left wing ahead of Sevu Reece.

Most of the Crusaders lineup are full internationals, none more so than the second-row of Scott Barrett and Sam Whitelock. Those two will look to dominate the tight exchanges against a Highlanders side who have been brittle at set piece.

The Highlanders sit bottom of the Super Rugby Aotearoa table on five points. Those five points came in their only win of the season when they beat the Chiefs 39-23 in round two.

That victory was followed by a 39-17 defeat to the Blues and a narrow 35-29 loss to the Chiefs. Last week the Highlanders lost 30-19 at home to the Hurricanes. 

The result was particularly disappointing for the Highlanders after they dominated much of the match. They carried more than double the meters of the Canes and forced their opponents to make 139 tackles compared to their 69.

After defeat last week the Highlanders have looked to change things up a bit.

New Zealand international scrumhalf, Aaron Smith finds himself on the bench with Folau Fakatava starting. Key to the Highlanders chances will be the performance of flank, Shannon Frizell and flyhalf, Mitch Hunt.