Hurricanes vs Crusaders Prediction: Crusaders to head home with the spoils

There are points and bragging rights at stake on Friday morning (08:05, Sky Sports Action) as rivals the Hurricanes and the Crusaders prepare to do battle in Super Rugby Pacific at Sky Stadium.

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

Rugby Union Odds

Team News

The Hurricanes go with Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax in the front row, with Caleb Delany and Isaia Walker-Leawere pairing up in the second row.

Brayden Iose, Du’Plessis Kirifi and Peter Lakai complete the pack, while Cam Roigard and Riley Hohepa start in the half-backs.

The Canes go with Peter Umaga-Jensen and Bailyn Sullivan, while the back three consists of Kini Naholo, Ngantungane Punivai and Ruben Love.

As for the Crusaders, Tamaiti Williams, Ioane Moananu and Fletcher Newell start in the front row, with Scott Barrett and Jamie Hannah in the engine room.

Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder and Christian Lio-Willie start in the back row, with the half-backs of Noah Hotham and Taha Kemara getting the nod as well.

David Havili and Levi Aumau are picked in the centres, while the Crusaders start with Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki and Will Jordan in the back three.

Hurricanes vs Crusaders Odds

The Hurricanes are the slight favourites at 4/6 for Friday’s clash in the capital, while the Crusaders are 13/10 to head back to Christchurch with the win.

A draw is available at 22/1, while over 56.5 total points to be scored at Sky Stadium is 4/5.

Crusaders to win @ 13/10

The Crusaders suffered a heartbreaking 27-26 defeat the last time they visited Sky Stadium and they will be out for revenge on this trip to Wellington.

Having won just four games last season, the Crusaders have already surpassed that total in just their opening seven matches.

While the Crusaders appear to be on the up, the opposite can be said of the Hurricanes, who only lost two regular season games last year.

Already the Canes have lost four of their seven matches and they might well be on the end of another defeat at the hands of the second-place Crusaders.

Will Jordan anytime tryscorer @ 11/10

One of the most prolific finishers in world rugby, odds of better than evens for Will Jordan in the anytime tryscorer market are hard to pass up.

Scoring 42 tries in 60 appearances for the Crusaders, Jordan is a real threat whether playing full-back or on the wing.

Wearing the No.15 jersey for the Crusaders this week, Jordan is well priced at 11/10 to add to his four tries already scored in Super Rugby Pacific this season.

Rugby Union Betting Tips from Betfred Insights