Hurricanes vs Crusaders Prediction: Crus to push Canes all the way

Wellington will host the pick of the Round 12 games in Super Rugby Pacific on Friday morning (08:05, Sky Sports Action) as Kiwi rivals the Hurricanes and the Crusaders go head-to-head at Hnry Stadium.

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Hurricanes vs Crusaders prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the clash in New Zealand’s capital.

Hurricanes vs Crusaders Odds

The Hurricanes are the favourites at 1/4 for the win, with the Crusaders at 10/3 to claim a victory in the capital.

A draw at Hnry Stadium is currently 20/1, while over 59.5 total points in the match is available at 10/11.

Team News

Starting with the hosts, the Hurricanes have Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Pasilio Tosi in the front row, with Caleb Delany and Warner Dearns in the second row.

Brayden Iose, Du'Plessis Kirifi and Peter Lakai start in the back row, while Cam Roigard and Ruben Love have been named in the half-backs.

Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor form the centres, while the ‘Canes have gone with a back three of Fehi Fineanganofo, Josh Moorby and Callum Harkin.

As for the Crusaders, the visitors have George Bower, Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell in the front row, with Antonio Shalfoon and Tahlor Cahill in the second row.

Ethan Blackadder, Leicester Fainga'anuku and Christian Lio-Willie complete the pack, while Noah Hotham and Taha Kemara start in the half-backs.

David Havili and Braydon Ennor pair up in the centres, while the Crusaders’ back three comprises wingers Macca Springer and Dallas McLeod, with Johnny McNicholl in the No.15 jersey.

Crusaders +10 handicap @ 11/10

This game pits two Super Rugby Pacific title contenders against each other in a mouth-watering contest in Wellington.

Despite the match odds, it’s the Crusaders who have the better recent record in this fixture, winning six of their last eight Super Rugby Pacific matches against the Hurricanes.

A win on Friday morning for the Canterbury outfit would be their third on the bounce against the 'Canes.

Given the Hurricanes' recent form, with six wins and one golden-point defeat in their last seven outings, the hosts might well be tough to stop on their own patch this week.

However, the Crusaders can go toe-to-toe with the 'Canes and the visitors are backed with a +10 handicap here.

The Crusaders have won just three of their last seven games away from Apollo Projects Stadium, however, only one of their four losses during that time was by a margin of more than five points.

With that in mind, the Crusaders with a +10 handicap here looks generous and the Christchurch outfit have more than enough quality to push the Hurricanes all the way in Friday's clash.

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