Chiefs vs Crusaders Prediction: Chiefs can earn Grand Final revenge

Two heavyweights go head-to-head at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday morning (06:05, Sky Sports+) as the Chiefs host the Crusaders in an all-Kiwi showdown.

Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Chiefs vs Crusaders prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the battle in Hamilton.

Chiefs vs Crusaders Odds

The Chiefs are the 4/11 favourites in the match betting market for the win, while the Crusaders are 23/10 to head back to Canterbury with the victory.

A draw in Hamilton is 22/1, while under 54.5 total points to be scored in Saturday’s game is currently 10/11.

Team News

Starting with the Chiefs, Jared Proffit, Samisoni Taukei’aho and George Dyer start in the front row, with locks Josh Lord and Tupou Vaa'i in the engine room.

Simon Parker, Kaylum Boshier and skipper Luke Jacobson complete the pack, with half-backs Xavier Roe and Josh Jacomb earning starting roles.

Quinn Tupaea and Daniel Rona combine in the centres, while the Chiefs boast a back three of Leroy Carter, Emoni Narawa and Etene Nanai-Seturo.

As for the Crusaders, Tamaiti Williams, George Bell and Fletcher Newell form the front row, with locks Antonio Shalfoon and Jamie Hannah in behind.

Dom Gardiner, Ethan Blackadder and Christian Lio-Willie form the back row, with Noah Hotham and Taha Kemara in the half-backs.

Skipper David Havili and Leicester Fainga'anuku start in the centres, while the Crusaders have a back three of Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki and Will Jordan.

Chiefs -9 handicap @ 21/20

Winning five of their last six regular-season games against the Crusaders, the Chiefs have had a strong record against the Canterbury outfit.

However, it was the Crusaders who stood up when it mattered in their last meeting, as they won 16-12 to win last season's Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final.

The Chiefs will be desperate for revenge following that heart-breaking defeat and new coach Jono Gibbes will be looking to deliver just that on Saturday.

With the Crusaders losing their opening two games of the new season, including a 50-24 home defeat at the hands of the Brumbies last weekend, Rob Penney's side have hardly made the best start to their title defence.

This looks to be a good time to face the Crusaders and the Chiefs are fancied to win and cover the handicap here.

Emoni Narawa anytime tryscorer @ 21/20

Chiefs winger Emoni Narawa is yet to get off the mark in the tryscoring department after the first two rounds but he can rectify that this weekend in Hamilton.

Scoring tries in both of the regular season games against the Crusaders last season, Narawa has a good record in this fixture and can add to his try collection against Penney's men on Saturday.

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