Crusaders vs Chiefs Prediction: Crusaders to end Chiefs’ run

The Chiefs are the form side in Super Rugby Pacific but the Hamilton outfit are set for a stern test on Friday morning (8:05am, Sky Sports+) when they head to One NZ Stadium to take on the Crusaders in a repeat of last season’s Grand Final.

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

Team news

Starting with the Crusaders, the hosts go with George Bower, Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell form the front row, with locks Antonio Shalfoon and Jamie Hannah in behind.

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

David Havili and Dallas McLeod are the starting centre partnership, with Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki and Will Jordan in the back three.

As for the Chiefs, the visitors have Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei'aho and Sione Ahio in the front three, with Josh Lord and Tupou Vaa'i in the second row.

Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson and Wallace Sititi form the back three, with Cortez Ratima and Josh Jacomb in the half-backs.

Quinn Tupaea and Kyle Brown pair up in the centres, with the Chiefs going for a back three of Kyren Taumoefolau, Liam Coombes-Fabling and Isaac Hutchinson.

Crusaders vs Chiefs Odds

The Crusaders are 21/20 to win on Friday morning, while the Chiefs are 10/11 to head back to Hamilton with the victory. A draw at One NZ Stadium is currently available at 16/1.

Crusaders to win @ 20/21

The Chiefs are the form side in the competition right now and head to Christchurch on the back of a seven-game winning streak, including a 42-12 win over the Highlanders in Hamilton last week.

However, there are reasons to suggest that this winning run will come to an abrupt end when they make the trip to One NZ Stadium this week.

The Chiefs head to Canterbury without the influential Damian McKenzie, who has been ruled out after what was a very nasty-looking head knock in their last outing against the Highlanders.

Whether at fly-half or full-back, McKenzie provides an attacking threat with the ball in hand, while his kicking game will also be sorely missed by the Chiefs this week as he is stood down for this match.

The Crusaders have a formidable record at home, winning eight of their last nine Super Rugby Pacific matches in Christchurch.

Having beaten the Chiefs in their last two encounters in this competition, the hosts are fancied to claim the victory in their new surroundings at One NZ Stadium this week.

The Blues discovered how tough it will be to win at this new ground after their 36-20 defeat in Christchurch and the Chiefs might well be on the wrong end of the scoreline here.

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