Crusaders vs Waratahs Predictions & Tips - Confident Waratahs to get close in Chrischurch

By Ralph Staniforth

26 May 2023

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Ralph Staniforth 26 May 2023

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Watch Crusaders vs Waratahs on Saturday in Super Rugby (05:35 BST)
Waratahs have won their last 4 games
Can the Crusaders hold onto 2nd place?

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Waratahs have won their last four games (Getty Images)

Crusaders vs Waratahs Predictions

The Crusaders are looking to cement second place on the table while the Tahs’ are also comfortably into the playoffs. They are both in good form, and while the Crusaders are clear favourites, I feel the Tahs’ are a good bet to cover the +20 point handicap.

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

Crusaders have won 8 of their last 9 matches.
Crusaders have won 14 of their last 15 home matches against Waratahs.
Waratahs have won their last 4 matches.
Waratahs won their last match against the Crusaders.

Head to Head

Crusaders have won 14 of their last 15 home fixtures against the Waratahs. The last time they met it was however the Tahs’ who came out on top.

Crusaders Form

The Crusaders are second on the Super Rugby table, eight points off the Chiefs. Their goal will be to maintain their position as catching the Chiefs will require the table toppers to lose their final two matches.

The defending champions made a slow start to the season, losing two of their opening three fixtures. However, since then, the Crusaders have lost just one of their last nine – against the Chiefs a month ago.

That defeat was followed by a 48-13 thrashing of the Force at home before beating the Blues 15-3 at home. Last week the Saders made light work of Moana, winning 41-7 on the road.

Crusaders Injuries & Team News

Crusaders (1-15): Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Codie Taylor (c), Tamaiti Williams, Quinten Strange, Sam Whitelock, Christian Lio-Willie, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Mitchell Drummond, Richie Mo'unga, Leicester Fainga'anuku, David Havili, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Fergus Burke

Bench: Brodie McAlister, Seb Calder, Reuben O'Neill, Zack Gallagher, Sione Havili Talitui, , Wil Gualter

Waratahs Form

The Waratahs are in a somewhat enviable position in Super Rugby. They have guaranteed their qualification for the top eight and cannot finish below their current position of sixth. It is also unlikely that they will climb to fifth given that they are seven points adrift with two games to play.

The Tahs’ made a poor start to the season but have climbed up the table over the last six weeks. They have won five of their last six, losing only to the Blues in that period.

With four wins on the bounce, the Waratahs will be full of confidence but this is arguably the toughest away fixture in Super Rugby.

Waratahs Injuries & Team News

Waratahs (1-15): Te Tera Faulkner, Dave Porecki, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Taleni Seu, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Mosese Tuipulotu, Joey Walton, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen

Bench: Mahe Vailanu, Nephi Leatigaga, Tom Lambert, Ned Hanigan, Will Harris, Harrison Goddard, Tane Edmed, Harry Wilson

Verdict

Crusaders v Waratahs

Waratahs are in good form and although the same can be said about the Crusaders, I feel the 20 point handicap is a bit much for the hosts.

Waratahs +20

Handicap

@10/11 - 4 Units

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