Crusaders vs Chiefs Predictions & Tips - Crusaders to win at home against Chiefs

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 09 May 2025

Ralph Staniforth 09 May 2025

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Crusaders have won 8 of their last 10 matches.
Chiefs defeated Crusaders 49-24 in their last encounter.
Chiefs have lost their last 2 away matches.

Expired

Chiefs beat the Crusaders in their last outing. (Getty Images)

Crusaders vs Chiefs Preview

The Crusaders will go top with a home win against a Chiefs side that have lost three away games this season. While these are the form sides in 2025, the hosts are backed to cover.

Crusaders vs Chiefs Preview
Head to Head
Crusaders Form
Crusaders Injuries & Team News
Chiefs Form
Chiefs Injuries & Team News

Crusaders have won 8 of their last 10 matches.
Chiefs have lost their last 2 away matches.
Chiefs beat the Crusaders in their last outing.

Head to Head

Chiefs defeated the Crusaders 49-24 earlier this season in Hamilton.

Crusaders Form

The Crusaders are second on the table but level on points with the Chiefs who are top. However, the hosts do have a game in hand.

After a dreadful 2024, the Crusaders have looked close to their best again this season, winning eight of their 10 games thus far. They are favourites to top the table, and this game will probably decide who finishes top.

Since suffering a surprise 45-29 loss to Moana Pasifika at the end of March, the Crusaders have won four in a row. They comfortable saw off Fijian Drua before winning by seven points against the Hurricanes. A three-point win over the Blues followed before thrashing the Highlanders 43-10 last weekend.

Crusaders Injuries & Team News

15 Will Jordan, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 David Havili (captain), 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Rivez Reihana, 9 Noah Hotham, 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 Jamie Hannah, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 James O’Connor, 23 Dallas McLeod.

Chiefs Form

The Chiefs looked like the form side early on in the campaign, but they’ve started showing some cracks recently, particularly away from home. They still top the table, but defeat here will see them get pressure from the Brumbies in third.

The last two away games have ended in defeat for the Chiefs. First, they lost 21-14 to the Waratahs in Sydney before going down 25-17 to the Hurricanes last weekend.

Between those two results, the Chiefs thrashed both the Highlanders and Western Force at home.

Chiefs Injuries & Team News

15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Daniel Rona, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Luke Jacobson (captain), 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 3 George Dyer, 2 Brodie McAlister, 1 Ollie Norris.

Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Xavier Roe, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Gideon Wrampling.