Crusaders vs Hurricanes Prediction: Hurricanes to stop Crusaders in their tracks

The Crusaders appear to be a team on the up but they will face a severe test of their Super Rugby Pacific credentials on Friday morning (08:05, Sky Sports+) when they host the Hurricanes at One NZ Stadium.

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

Team News

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

Dominic Gardiner, Ethan Blackadder and Christian Lio-Willie start in the back row, with Noah Hotham and Rivez Reihana in the half-backs.

David Havili and Dallas McLeod combine in the centres, with Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki and Johnny McNicholl start in the back three.

As for the Hurricanes, the Super Rugby Pacific frontrunners go with Xavier Numia, Raymond Tuputupu and Tyrel Lomax front row.

Hugo Plummer and Isaia Walker-Leawere start in the second row, with a back row made up of Brad Shields, Cooper Flanders and Arese Poliko.

Cam Roigard and Callum Harkin start in the half-backs with Jone Rova and Josh Timu in the centres.

Kini Naholo, Taniela Filimone and Josh Moorby complete the backline for the ‘Canes.

Crusaders vs Hurricanes Odds

The Crusaders are the firm favourites at 2/9 to get the job done in Christchurch this week, with the Hurricanes at 7/2 to head back to the Kiwi capital of Wellington with the victory and the bragging rights. A draw in Canterbury is currently available at odds of 20/1.

Hurricanes to win @ 7/2

With back-to-back wins against the Blues and the Chiefs, the Crusaders are already showing their new home at One NZ Stadium will not be an easy place for opposing teams to visit.

Winning 36-32 against the Chiefs, one wonders how much that victory took out of the Crusaders in what was a repeat of last season’s Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final.

The Hurricanes, meanwhile, go into this match on the back of a comprehensive 45-28 victory in Wellington against the Highlanders.

Currently on a five-game winning streak, the 'Canes have emerged as the best attacking team in the competition, scoring an average of 45 points per match in that spell.

Scoring 548 in their first 13 games, 11 of which they have won, teams that wish to beat the Hurricanes know they have to be on point with their defence.

The Crusaders have conceded more points (374) than any other team in the top eight in the Super Rugby Pacific table and the Hurricanes have a good chance of causing an upset at One NZ Stadium.

Already beating the Crusaders 38-31 when they met in Wellington at the start of May, the 'Canes are tipped to do the double of the Christchurch outfit on Friday morning.

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