Crusaders vs Waratahs
The Crusaders welcome the Waratahs to Christchurch for this Super Rugby encounter. The home team are currently in 2nd position with 42 points while the visitors are in 6th spot with 31 points. Both teams are assured of playoff rugby but the Crusaders will want home ground advantage for the quarter finals and the semis if they go that far. The Waratahs have run into a purple patch with four consecutive wins and are finally fulfilling the promise the squad possesses. A victory in this match may be a bridge too far as the Crusaders are back to full strength for this match.
TIP: The Waratahs task in this match has been made all the more difficult as they have rested a few key personnel that include Michael Hooper and Izaiah Perese. The Crusaders welcome back their talisman in the pack, Sam Whitelock after he missed a host of matches due to injury. The home side will be delighted with the performance of their second stringers in the last match and the likes of Richie Mo’unga will want to reassert their place in the team. The bookies have the Crusaders as favourites and I’m also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.04, Gbets 1.05 and Hollywoodbets 1.04
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Crusaders vs Waratahs
- The Crusaders have won three of their last five matches against the Waratahs.
- The Crusaders have not lost a home match against the Waratahs.
Latest results for both teams
The Crusaders beat Moana Pasifika 41-7 in their last match while the Waratahs overcame the Fijian Drua 32-18 in their last match.
PREDICTION
It is fair to say that the champions have had a less than impressive campaign with a host of injuries preventing them from gaining any meaningful momentum. They seem to be building nicely at the business end of the competition and the under strength Waratahs could be facing them at the worst possible time. Mo’unga in particular has been far from his best and has Damian Mckenzie breathing down his neck for the All Blacks ten position. He will need a massive performance to convince the national selectors so the visitors could face the backlash of this. I am predicting a home win by 30 points.
Probable Starting XVs
Crusaders
15 Fergus Burke, 14 Dallas McLeod, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 David Havili, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Mitch Drummond, 8 Cullen Grace, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Christian Lio-Willie, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Quinten Strange, 3 Tamaiti Williams, 2 Codie Taylor (c), 1 Kershawl Sykes-Martin
Waratahs
15 Max Jorgensen, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Joey Walton, 12 Mosese Tuipulotu, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Jake Gordon (c), 8 Langi Gleeson, 7 Charlie Gamble, 6 Taleni Seu, 5 Hugh Sinclair, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 David Porecki, 1 Te Tera Faulkner
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the Crusaders victory are as follows:
Betway 1.04
Gbets 1.05
Hollywoodbets 1.04
Odds comparison on the Crusaders handicap:
The complete odds on the Crusaders handicap:
Betway 1.90 (-24.5)
Gbets 1.87 (-24.5)
Hollywoodbets 1.89 (-24.5)
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor returns on the Crusaders outright win but if you looking for better odds then we suggest the home team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Betway 1.90 (-24.5), Gbets 1.87 (-24.5) and Hollywoodbets 1.89 (-24.5)
Other tips for the weekend (Predicted winners are in BOLD text)
Griffons vs Sharks
WP vs Lions
Cheetahs vs Griquas
Fijian Drua vs Moana Pasifika
Pumas vs Bulls
Clermont vs Racing 92
Checkout the betting latest offers here
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
