Highlanders vs Crusaders Predictions - Crusaders to chase bonus point win in Dunedin

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 24 Apr 2025

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Simon Lewis 24 Apr 2025

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Highlanders have one win in their last six games.
Crusaders are tied at the top of the table after a strong season.
Crusaders have historically dominated, winning 10 of 12 past matches against the Highlanders.

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Crusaders have won 10 of their last 12 matches against the Highlanders. (Getty Images)

Highlanders vs Crusaders Predictions

The Crusaders are in superb form coming into this fixture and will fancy their chances. The Highlanders are in poor form with just one win in six. I’m backing the visitors to cover the -10.5 handicap.

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

Highlanders have lost 5 of their last 6 matches.
Crusaders have won 7 of their last 9 matches.
Crusaders have won 10 of their last 12 matches against the Highlanders.

Head to Head

The Crusaders have won 10 of their last 12 games against the Highlanders. In their last outing, in 2024, the Highlanders won 32-29.

Highlanders Form

The Highlanders began the 2025 Super Rugby season well but have fallen off the pace of late. They are ninth on the table with three wins from nine games.

With two wins and a one-point loss in their opening three fixtures, the Highlanders looked on track for a solid season. However, in their subsequent six fixtures, they’ve only managed one victory.

Most of those defeats were by narrow margins though as they lost by two points to the Hurricanes, six points to the Reds, seven points to the Brumbies and nine points to the Western Force. After that run, the Highlanders beat Fijian Drua 43-20 at home but were hammered 46-10 at the Chiefs last weekend.

Highlanders Injuries & Team News

15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 13 Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 12 Jake Te Hiwi, 11 Jonah Lowe, 10 Cameron Millar, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Will Stodart, 7 Sean Withy, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Saula Ma’u, 2 Soane Vikena, 1 Ethan de Groot.

Replacements: 16 Jack Taylor, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Sefo Kautai, 19 Oliver Haig, 20 Veveni Lasaqa, 21 Nathan Hastie, 22 Sam Gilbert, 23 Josh Whaanga

Crusaders Form

The Crusaders are second on the table but level on points with the Chiefs at the top. With the Chiefs playing on Friday and favourites for a win, the Crusaders will want to at the very least match their result.

The 12-time Super Rugby champions have been in superb form this season, bar for their one blip against Moana where they lost at home 45-29. Since that surprise defeat, the Crusaders have won three in a row.

After beating Fijian Drua away, the Crusaders defeated the Hurricanes in Wellington. That was followed last weekend with a tightly fought 25-22 victory at home against the Blues.

Crusaders Injuries & Team News

15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Dallas McLeod, 12 David Havili (captain), 11 Macca Springer, 10 Taha Kemara, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Xavier Saifoloi, , 5 Jamie Hannah, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower.

Replacements: 16 Ioane Moananu, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Kershawl Skyes-Martin, 19 Tahlor Cahill, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Rivez Reihana, 23 Chay Fihaki

Verdict

Highlanders v Crusaders

Crusaders are tipped to cover the -10.5 handicap.

Crusaders -10.5

Handicap

@1,91 - 3 Units

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