Crusaders vs Waratahs Predictions & Tips - Crusaders backed for comfortable home win

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 28 Feb 2024

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Ralph Staniforth 28 Feb 2024

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Predictions for Crusaders vs Waratahs in Super Rugby on Saturday
Waratahs have lost 6 of their last 8 games against the Crusaders
Can the Crusaders get a bonus point win?

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Can the Crusaders get a bonus point win? (Getty Images)

Crusaders vs Waratahs Preview

Crusaders are very strong but at home they are close to unbeatable. I am backing them to cover the -18 handicap with ease.

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

Crusaders have won 6 of their last 8 matches against the Waratahs.
Crusaders are the defending Super Rugby champions.
Crusaders have not lost consecutive matches in Super Rugby since 2014.
Waratahs lost their last match by 18 points.

Head to Head

Crusaders have won six of their last eight matches against the Waratahs.

Crusaders Form

The Crusaders are the defending champions once again this season but got their season off to a losing start. In a repeat of the 2023 final, the Chiefs beat the Crusaders 33-29 at home.

Not much will be made of the result as the Crusaders lost twice to the Chiefs last season, only to beat them in the final. It was, as expected, a tough battle from the first minute. The result could have fallen in the champions’ favour had some decisions or the bounce of the ball gone their way.

It took an impressive second half effort by the Crusaders to get back into it after the Chiefs built a tidy half time lead. In the end, the Crusaders outscored the Chiefs by four tries to two, but discipline cost the visitors dearly.

Crusaders Injuries & Team News

George Bower, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett (c), Quinten Strange, Dominic Gardiner, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Macca Springer, David Havili, Levi Aumua, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki

Subs: Quentin MacDonald, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Jamie Hannah, Christian Lio-Willie, Mitchell Drummond, Ryan Crotty, Dallas McLeod

Waratahs Form

The Waratahs, after an impressive season in 2023, started 2024 with a poor performance. It was always going to be tough at the Reds, but far better was expected of the Sydney side.

The 40-22 defeat will hurt the Tahs’, but things are only going to get tougher this weekend. While the Waratahs have some positive performances against the Crusaders to look back on, they will have to be far better than they were last weekend.

Waratahs Injuries & Team News

Angus Bell, Mahe Vailanu, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Fergus Lee-Warner, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch, Joey Walton, Harry Wilson, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Max Jorgensen.

Subs: Julian Heaven, Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Dan Botha, Miles Amatosero, Ned Hanigan, Teddy Wilson, Mosese Tuipulotu, Triston Reilly.

Verdict

Crusaders v Waratahs

I am backing the Crusadres to cover the -18 handicap in this Super Rugby fixture.

Crusaders -18

Handicap

@10/11 - 1 Unit

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