Crusaders vs Highlanders Predictions & Tips - Crusaders set for first win of the season

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 02 Mar 2023

Ralph Staniforth 02 Mar 2023

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Watch Crusaders vs Highlanders in Super Rugby on Friday (07:00 GMT)
Highlanders lost their last game by 40 points
Can the Saders’ bounce back from their round 1 loss?

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Crusaders backed to beat Highlanders (Getty Images)

Crusaders vs Highlanders Predictions

This is the first meeting between these sides at a neutral venue. They both come off home defeats in round 1 so will be looking to bounce back with a bang in Melbourne.

Crusaders vs Highlanders Predictions
Head to Head
Crusaders Form
Crusaders Injuries & Team News
Highlanders Form
Highlanders Injuries & Team News

I am backing the Crusaders to cover the -17 handicap.

Crusaders have won 9 of their last 10 matches against the Highlanders.
Highlanders last their last match by 40 points.

Head to Head

The Crusaders and Highlanders have met on 44 previous occasions. The Saders’ have dominated, winning 31 with the Highlanders taking 12 wins. There has been one draw.

Their last meeting ended in a 17-14 win for the Crusaders last season.

Crusaders Form

The Crusaders made a slow start to the Super Rugby campaign, losing 31-10 at home to the Chiefs last weekend. While the performance was dire, the Crusaders also started last season slowly only to go on and win it in the end.

What will stand the Crusaders in good stead is that they have beaten the Highlanders in nine of their last 10 games. Last season they snatched a 17-14 victory over their southern rivals.

Last week it started well for the Crusaders as they raced into a 10-0 lead against the Chiefs. The visitors however rallied back, and by half-time the Chiefs were down by just three points. The Crusaders had to answer to a rampant Chiefs side in the second half.

Crusaders Injuries & Team News

The Christchurch-based outfit may look to go into this fixture unchanged. They have a young and inexperienced bench which may cost them if injuries occur.

Highlanders Form

The Highlanders have been the weakest New Zealand side for a few years now and last week they did little to change the minds of people. While last season went relatively well for the Otago-based outfit, they were dreadful in their opener last week.

From the start the Blues were utterly dominant in Dunedin. They raced into a commanding lead before a minor resurgence before half-time saw the Highlanders cut the lead to 31-20.

The second half however saw the Blues run riot, ending with a 60-20 victory. While it was always going to be an uphill battle against last season’s runners-up, the Highlanders made it too easy for the Auckland side.

Highlanders Injuries & Team News

There will almost certainly be changes to the Highlanders side after last weeks performance. They have a decent squad on paper and should be performing better.

Verdict

Crusaders v Highlanders

Crusaders are backed to cover the -17 handicap against the Highlanders.

Crusaders -17

Handicap

@-109.89 - 4 Units

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