Crusaders vs Reds Predictions - Crusaders backed to cover in qualifying finals

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 04 Jun 2025

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Simon Lewis 04 Jun 2025

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Crusaders have won 13 of last 14 matches against the Reds.
Crusaders predicted to cover -12.5 handicap.
Reds' inconsistent away form is a major concern.

Crusaders have won 13 of their last 14 matches against the Reds. (Getty Images)

Crusaders vs Reds Predictions

The Crusaders will be confident at home while the Reds struggles on the road are well documented. While I expect this to be quite competitive for the first half at least, over 80 minutes, I’m backing the Crusaders to cover the -12.5 handicap.

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

Crusaders have won 13 of their last 14 matches against the Reds.
Crusaders have won their last 3 matches.
Crusaders beat the Reds 43-19 earlier this season.
Reds have lost 3 of their last 4 away matches.

Head to Head

The Crusaders have been utterly dominant in this fixture, winning 13 of their last 14 matches against the Reds. Earlier this season, the Crusaders thrashed the Reds 43-19 on home soil.

Crusaders Form

The Crusaders have enjoyed a fine season, finishing the round robin stage in second place on 49 points. They won 11 of their 14 games, losing just three and ending two points behind the Chiefs.

Two of the Crusaders losses this season came against the Chiefs while they also suffered a surprise defeat to Moana. Since their last loss on 10 May at home to the Chiefs, the Crusaders have won three on the bounce.

It began with a 48-33 away victory over the Waratahs before seeing off the Highlanders 15-12 at home. Last weekend in Canberra against the Brumbies, the Crusaders snuck a 33-31 win in a cracking contest.

Crusaders Injuries & Team News

Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 David Havili (captain), 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Rivez Reihana, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Antonio Shalfoon, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams.

Replacements: 16 George Bell, 17 George Bower, 18 Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 19 Tahlor Cahill, 20 Cullin Grace, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 James O’Connor, 23 Dallas McLeod.

Reds Form

The Reds have also had a fine season by their standards, finishing fifth on the table. They started the campaign well but have fallen away in the second half of the season.

Stringing wins together has been a problem for the Reds in the latter part of the season. They were superb in their 35-21 home win over the Blues at the end of April but then began May with a 36-33 loss to Fijian Drua.

The Reds bounced back to beat the Waratahs 28-21 away but then lost 24-14 to the Brumbies. Another defeat followed at home to the Hurricanes before beating Fijian Drua 52-7 at home last weekend.

Reds Injuries & Team News

15 Jock Campbell, 14 Lachie Anderson, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Tate McDermott (captain), 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Joe Brial, 5 Ryan Smith, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Zane Nonggorr, 2 Richie Asiata, 1 Sef Fa’agase.

Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 Nick Bloomfield, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 John Bryant, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Dre Pakeho, 23 Tim Ryan.

Verdict

Crusaders v Reds

I am backing the Crusaders to cover the -12.5 handicap.

Crusaders -12.5

Handicap

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