Ioane Moananu and Macca Springer of the Crusaders celebrate. Photo: Photosport
Blues v Crusaders
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 22 March
Eden Park, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
The Crusaders are flying high and the Blues are in the doldrums, but the former expect a tense battle with their arch-rivals in Auckland this weekend.
The teams are in contrasting positions on the Super Rugby ladder after five rounds with the Blues third from last with one win from five games, while the Crusaders are second with three wins from four.
Brumbies celebrate during the Super Rugby Pacific match, Blues v Brumbies, Eden Park, Auckland, Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress
The Crusaders also have a large swathe of their injured players now available.
However, the bookies have the Blues as slight favourites to win at Eden Park on Saturday night. Crusaders coach Rob Penney believes the hosts won't be easy to topple.
"Of course. Quality side who've been losing by fine margins. Result wise they'll be really disappointed and they'll be searching, but they're playing well," Penney said.
"They've got some strategies that are tried and true for them. They're not far away. They're missing a bit of personnel and we all know the impact that losing your best players can have. They're going through a bit of that. But they've still got quality and they'll be tough."
The Crusaders have scored 155 points so far this season while conceding 126 and Penney expects games to start tightening up.
"There's been plenty of movement, plenty of quality play. I don't know if it's been helter skelter. But I suspect getting back into a maybe a bit of dew around or a bit of moisture in the evening. That could certainly temper things a wee bit.
"As the campaign goes on defences, will get better and close up and I'm sure that'll be the case."
Mac Grealy of the Force and Sevu Reece of the Crusaders tussle for the ball during the Super Rugby Pacific - Crusaders v Force at Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch. Photo: John Davidson / Photosport
The Crusaders failed to make the playoffs last season for the first time since 2015 with just four wins from 14 games.
That was Penney's first year in charge and he feels for the Blues and their coach Vern Cotter.
"I don't think anyone likes to see people being dealt a negative hand of any sort," Penney said.
"We are talking about the Blues though," he joked.
The two teams have arguably had biggest rivalry in Super Rugby throughout the years and Penney believes that's still the case.
"Oh without a doubt. Of course it is. Historic and long may it continue. It's one of the greats."
The Crusaders will have some history of their own to overcome on Saturday night, with the team having failed to win an away game since the 2023 final in Hamilton against the Chiefs.
"It's not the elephant in the room. We're talking about it. Awareness is high in regards to our lack of ability to win away," Penney said.
"We've gone close a couple of times. All you can do is prepare as well as you can and the boys will do that job in the final few hours and hopefully it doesn't make a difference. Playing at Eden Park is a great thrill, so we love going there."
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