Blues vs Crusaders Predictions & Tips - Blues backed for first home win of the season

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 21 Mar 2025

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Ralph Staniforth 21 Mar 2025

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Blues vs. Crusaders match at Eden Park set to be thrilling.
Blues have had a challenging start, winning just once in five games.
Crusaders show strong form with 3 wins in 4 games.

Expired

Crusaders have won 3 of their last 4 matches. (Getty Images)

Blues vs Crusaders Preview

The Blues have not had a good start to the season but have looked nearer to the quality they produced in 2024 over the last fortnight. I am backing them to take the win at home.

Blues vs Crusaders Preview
Head to Head
Blues Form
Blues Squad
Crusaders Form
Crusaders Squad

Blues have lost 4 of their last 5 matches.
Blues beat the Crusaders in their last encounter.
Blues have lost their last 2 home matches.
Crusaders have won 3 of their last 4 matches.

Head to Head

Crusaders have won eight of their last nine matches against the Blues but the Blues won their last encounter in 2024.

Blues Form

The Blues are struggling this season with just one win in five. This is certainly not the title defence they were hoping for, but there is still enough time to put it right.

The Auckland side lost their opening two fixtures by 11 and eight points to the Chiefs and Highlanders before winning 33-29 against the Hurricanes away. Hope that it was a revival was dashed the following week when the Blues lost at home again, this time 21-20 to the Brumbies.

Last weekend the Blues were much better in terms of performance, taking the in-form Chiefs to the wire in Hamilton. Unfortunately for the Blues, they lost the game 32-31.

Blues Squad

15 Corey Evans, 14 Mark Tele’a, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Xavi Taele, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Sam Nock; 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Cameron Christie, 5 Josh Beehre, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Joshua Fusitu’a.

Replacements: 16 James Mullan, 17 Jordan Lay, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Laghlan McWhannell, 20 Tristyn Cook, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Cole Forbes.

Crusaders Form

After a disastrous 2024, the Crusaders are back to somewhere near their best. They have won three of their four matches to date and sit second on the table.

The 12-time Super Rugby champions started the season with a 33-25 win at home over the Hurricanes before losing convincingly to the Chiefs in Hamilton. That was followed by a strong performance on home soil against the Reds, winning the game 43-19.

Last weekend, the Crusaders were dominant again, putting 55 points past the Western Force.

Crusaders Squad

15 Will Jordan, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Dallas McLeod, 12 David Havili (captain), 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Taha Kemara, 9 Kyle Preston; 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Cullen Grace, 5 Antonio Shalfoon, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams.

Replacements: 16 Ioane Moananu, 17 George Bower, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Quinten Strange, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Noah Hotham, 22 James O’Connor, 23 Macca Springer.

Verdict

Blues v Crusaders

Blues are backed to beat the Crusaders at Eden Park.

Blues Win

Result

@13/16 - 3 Units

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Blues -1.5

Handicap

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