Western Force vs Crusaders Predictions - Crusaders are backed to win away in Super Rugby clash

Nigel Williams

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Last updated: 17 Apr 2026

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Nigel Williams 17 Apr 2026

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Crusaders favored to win against Force with -8.5 handicap.
Force have lost last 5 home matches; on a tough streak.
Crusaders in strong form, winning 3 of the last 5 away games.

Expired

Crusaders backed in Perth (Getty Images)

Force vs Crusaders Predictions

Crusaders are favourites on the road, with an impressive head-to-head record. My best bet is the Crusaders to cover the -8.5 handicap on the road.

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

Force have lost their last 5 home matches.
Force have won 1 of their last 5 meetings against the Crusaders.
Force come into this match on the back of a 24-14 loss against the Chiefs.
Crusaders have won 3 of their last 5 away matches.
Crusaders come into this match on the back of a 50-21 win at Moana Pasifika.

Head to Head

Force have won one of their last five meetings against the Crusaders.

Force Form

Force have had a poor run of form at home, losing their last five home matches in all competitions. They come into this match on the back of a 24-14 loss against the Chiefs.

Their previous home results include losses against the Brumbies (33-14), the Waratahs (22-17), the Brumbies (56-24), and the Blues (42-32).

Force are currently 10th in Super Rugby with 10 points after eight matches.

Force Injuries & Team News

Starting line-up: 1 Tom Robertson, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3 Misinale Epenisa, 4 Jeremy Williams (c), 5 Darcy Swain, 6 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 8 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 9 Henry Robertson, 10 Ben Donaldson, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 12 Bayley Kuenzle, 13 George Bridge, 14 Zac Lomax, 15 Mac Grealy.

Replacements: 16 Nic Dolly, 17 Sef Fa’agase, 18 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Will Harris, 21 Nathan Hastie, 22 Hamish Stewart, 23 Kurtley Beale.

Crusaders Form

Crusaders have experienced a mixed run of form on the road, winning three of their last five matches in all competitions. They come into this match on the back of a 50-21 win at Moana Pasifika.

Their previous away results include a win at the Brumbies (33-31), a loss at the Highlanders (25-23), a win at the Chiefs (43-33), and a loss at the Blues (29-13).

Crusaders are currently fifth in Super Rugby, with 18 points after seven matches.

Crusaders Injuries & Team News

Starting line-up: 1 Finlay Brewis, 2 George Bell, 3 Seb Calder, 4 Tahlor Cahill, 5 Jamie Hannah, 6 Dom Gardiner, 7 Johnny Lee, 8 Christian Lio-Willie (c), 9 Louis Chapman, 10 Taha Kemara, 11 Macca Springer, 12 Dallas McLeod, 13 Leciester Fainga'anuku, 14 Chay Fihaki, 15 Johnny McNicholl.

Replacements: 16 Manumaua Leitu, 17 George Bower, 18 Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 19 Will Tucker, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Noah Hotham, 22 Rivez Reihana, 23 Sevu Reece.

Verdict

Western Force v Crusaders

Crusaders are backed to get over the line in Perth, winning by more than 8.5 points.

Crusaders -8.5

Handicap

@1.91 - 5 Units

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