Highlanders vs Crusaders Betting Tips - Crusaders to cruise to victory

The Crusaders make the trip to Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday to clash with the Highlanders in round four of the inaugral Super Rugby Aotearoa. The side from Christchurch have dominated games against the Highlanders and I fully expect another one-sided encounter.

The Highlanders have struggled in 2020, winning just two of their eight fixtures. In their last game before the 2020 Super Rugby season was voided, the Highlanders were beaten 38-13 by the inconsistent Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.

Upon return to action in the form of Super Rugby Aotearoa, the Highlanders have a last-minute drop goal to thank for their 28-27 win over the Chiefs in Dunedin, but they fell agonisingly short against the Blues in their last fixture.

Despite giving a good account of themselves in Auckland, the Otago-based side went down 27-24. Mitch Hunt was excellent for the Highlanders and almost turned the game around with 17 points.

The Highlanders don’t have any injury concerns but may look to bolster their pack with the addition of Daniel Leinert-Brown in the front-row. Mitch Hunt will surely hold onto the fly-half position despite calls for Bryn Gatland to get a run.

The Crusaders, as they generally are, have been superb in 2020, losing just one match all year.

In Super Rugby Aotearoa, the Saders have been doing what the Saders do, winning their first fixture 39-25 against the Hurricanes in Wellington, before downing the Chiefs at home 18-13.

In awful weather conditions, the Crusaders struggled to assert their dominance thanks to constant handling errors, but their mental strength ensured the got over the line in the end. Will Jordan scored a brace, with both assisted by Sevu Reece.

Luke Romano could force his way into the team at the expense of Michael Alaalatoa while backline David Havili will have to wait his chance with the Crusaders backline performing well as a combination.

The Crusaders hold a 7-1 advantage over the Highlanders in their last eight clashes. The last four meetings have seen the Saders win by a margin of 23, 26, 24, and 20 points.

Their last clash took place in February 2020, with the Crusaders winning 33-13 in Christchurch.

The Highlanders are available at 4.00, while the Crusaders are priced at 1.25. The handicap is set at 10 points and pays 1.90 both ways.

The Crusaders pack is brilliant, so they will look to dominate all set pieces, which will in turn allow the backs to do their thing. The Highlanders will need to up their game if they are to break down the Saders.