Crusaders vs Highlanders Predictions - Hosts to cover handicap

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 4 hours ago

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Simon Lewis 4 hours ago

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Crusaders won 4 of the last 5 games against Highlanders.
Crusaders are aiming to top the table with a win.
Highlanders need a win for playoff hopes, despite recent losses.

Crusaders backed for big win over Highlanders (Getty Images)

Crusaders vs Highlanders Preview

Crusaders will go top of the table should they win this fixture and will stay there unless the Chiefs match or better their result. Given the form of the two sides, I am backing the Cruaders to cover -16.5.

Crusaders vs Highlanders Preview
Head to Head
Crusaders Form
Crusaders Injuries & Team News
Highlanders Form
Highlanders Injuries & Team News

Crusaders have won 4 of their last 5 matches against the Highlanders.
Crusaders beat the Highlanders 43-10 earlier this season.
Crusaders have won 5 of their last 6 matches.
Highlanders have lost their last 4 matches.

Head to Head

Four of the last five games have gone in the Crusaders favour, including a 43-10 win away from home earlier this season.

Crusaders Form

The Crusaders go into this penultimate fixture of the regular season sitting third on the table. They have won nine of their 12 fixtures and have 41 points, level with the Chiefs in second and two points off the Brumbies.

However, the 12-time Super Rugby champions do have a game in hand on the Brumbies and a win here on Friday will see them go top, albeit briefly should the Chiefs also win.

Last week, the Crusaders bounced back after losing at home to the Chiefs to beat the Waratahs 48-33 in Sydney. Over the last six games, the Crusaders have won five.

Crusaders Injuries & Team News

15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 David Havili (captain), 11 Macca Springer, 10 Rivez Reihana, 9 Mitch Drummond, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Cullen Grace, 5 Jamie Hannah, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Kershawl Skyes-Martih, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower.

Replacements: 16 George Bell, 17 Lewis Ponini, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Quinten Strange, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 James O’Connor, 23 Dallas McLeod.

Highlanders Form

The Highlanders are bottom of the Super Rugby table with just three victories in 12 fixtures. They have 19 points but still find themselves just three points off the top eight.

With two games to play against the Crusaders and Chiefs, should the Highlanders manage to win both, they could very well earn themselves a top eight finish. However, on Friday, they simply must win in Christchurch to give themselves momentum.

The last time the Highlanders won was on 12 April, losing their subsequent four matches. Although they lost heavily to the Chiefs and Crusaders, they were close in their last two.

The Dunedin outfit lost 34-29 to Moana at home and then last week came up short in Wellington, losing 24-20 to the Hurricanes after a spirited effort.

Highlanders Injuries & Team News

15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Jonah Lowe, 13 Tanielu Tele’a, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), 11 Taniela Filimone, 10 Taine Robinson, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Sean Withy, 7 Veveni Lasaqa, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Mitch Dunshea, 3 Saula Ma’u, 2 Jack Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot (co-captain).

Replacements: 16 Soane Vikena, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Sosefo Kautai, 19 Tai Cribb, 20 Will Stodart, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Cameron Millar, 23 Thomas Umaga-Jensen.