Crusaders vs Brumbies Prediction: Hosts to get back in the saddle

| Saturday 21st February 2026, 14:57pm

Saturday 21st February 2026, 14:57pm

After the disappointment of an opening-round defeat at the hands of the Highlanders in the Super Rugby Pacific, the Crusaders can get back in the saddle in the early hours of Sunday morning (02:35, Sky Sports+) when they host the Brumbies at Apollo Projects Stadium.

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

Crusaders vs Brumbies Betting Tips

Crusaders -16 handicap @ 6/5
Over 56.5 total points @ 5/6

*odds correct at time of publication

Team News

The Crusaders go with Finlay Brewis, George Bell and Fletcher Newell in the front row, with Antonio Shalfoon and Jamie Hannah in the second row.

Dom Gardiner, Ethan Blackadder and Christian Lio‑Willie complete the pack.

Noah Hotham and Rivez Reihana start in the half-backs, with skipper David Havili and Braydon Ennor in the centres.

Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki and Will Jordan form the back three for the hosts.

As for the Brumbies, the visitors go with James Slipper, Billy Pollard and Rhys van Nek in the front row, while locks Lachie Shaw and Cadeyrn Neville start in the second row.

Rob Valetini, Rory Scott and Charlie Cale start in the back row, while skipper Ryan Lonergan and Declan Meredith combine in the second row.

David Feliuai and Kadin Pritchard are the starting centres, while Corey Toole, Ollie Sapsford and Andy Muirhead are the back three for the Brumbies

Crusaders vs Brumbies Odds

The Crusaders are 1/5 to secure their first win of the season, while the Brumbies are 18/5 to head back across The Tasman with the victory.

A draw at Apollo Projects Stadium is 28/1, while the Crusaders to be leading at the half-time and full-time whistles is priced at 4/9.

Crusaders -16 handicap @ 6/5

Edged out 25-23 in Dunedin by the Highlanders in Round 1, the Crusaders will look to take their frustrations out on the Brumbies on Sunday.

It wasn’t the ideal start for the reigning Super Rugby Pacific champions against the Highlanders but they will be confident of putting things right this weekend.

Taking on a strong Brumbies side, who cruised to a 56-24 win at Western Force in their opening game, the Crusaders have an excellent record.

Winning all of their last 12 games against the Brumbies on Kiwi soil, the Crusaders have had the upper hand over the Canberra outfit over the years.

With a back three of Reece, Fihaki and Jordan, the Crusaders have the firepower in the backline to win on Sunday and cover the handicap in the process.

Crusaders vs Brumbies - Handicap -16

Crusaders -16

6/5

Bet Here

Odds correct at time of publishing.

Over 56.5 total points @ 5/6

While the Crusaders are backed to win, they will have to score significant points against a Brumbies side who have their own threats with ball in hand.

The Brumbies have scored exactly 31 points against the Crusaders in each of their last two meetings and, if that trend continues, going for the over 56.5 total points at Apollo Projects Stadium makes sense.

Crusaders vs Brumbies - Total Points

Over 56.5

5/6

Bet Here

Odds correct at time of publishing.

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