Crusaders vs Blues Prediction: Visitors to spoil the party in Christchurch

There’s always plenty of intrigue in Super Rugby Pacific when the Crusaders and the Blues face off and fans can look forward to this all-Kiwi affair on Friday morning (08:05, Sky Sports+) at the brand-new One NZ Stadium.

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

Crusaders vs Blues Odds

The Crusaders are 8/13 favourites to win on Friday morning, while the Blues are 6/4 to make the trip back to Auckland with a victory.

A draw is currently 18/1, while under 49.5 total points to be scored is 17/10.

Team News

George Bower, Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell start in the front row for the Crusaders, with locks Antonio Shalfoon and Jamie Hannah in behind.

Ethan Blackadder, Leicester Fainga'anuku and Christian Lio-Willie complete the pack, with the pair of Noah Hotham and Rivez Reihana in the half-backs.

David Havili and Dallas McLeod start in the centres, with Macca Springer, Sevu Reece and Johnny McNicholl in the back three.

As for the Blues, the visitors go with Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Bradley Slater and Sam Matenga in the front row, with Patrick Tuipulotu and Sam Darry in the second row.

Malachi Wrampling-Alec, Dalton Papali'i and Hoskins Sotutu start in the back row, with Sam Nock and Stephen Perofeta in as the half-backs.

Pita Ahki and AJ Lam combine in the centres, while the Blues go with a back three of Caleb Clarke, Kade Banks and Zarn Sullivan.

Blues to win @ 6/4

Expect quite the atmosphere at the new One NZ Stadium on Friday morning but the Blues can be the ones to spoil the party in Christchurch.

Vern Cotter’s side are in excellent form, with seven wins in their last eight, including three victories on the trot going into this match on the South Island.

These sides have already crossed paths in Super Rugby Pacific this season, with the Blues running out 29-13 winners in Auckland back in March.

The Crusaders hardly come into this match in great form, with three defeats in their last four games.

Given the contrasting form and considering what happened the last time these sides met, the Blues can be the ones to silence the crowd at One NZ Stadium with a victory on Friday.

Caleb Clarke anytime tryscorer @ 13/10

With seven tries in Super Rugby Pacific already this season, All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke has been in strong form for the Blues.

Scoring in two of his last three appearances against Fijian Drua and the Hurricanes, Clarke has to be worth considering at 13/10 in the anytime tryscorer market.

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