Anything but another home Crusaders playoff win would be a surprise.
Indeed, the defending champions’ remarkable run in home playoff games comes up every year - and will continue to do so until a visiting team breaks the duck.
The Crusaders head into this afternoon’s match with a 32-0 record when hosting playoff games, a mark amassed across Lancaster Park and their temporary Addington venue.
It includes victories over the Reds, Blues and Chiefs during last year’s run to the title, the Crusaders’ eighth in nine years.
Now, having won four out of four regular season matches at their new indoor stadium, the Crusaders will attempt to make the Blues feel more pain under the roof.
The Aucklanders have already been tipped up at One New Zealand Stadium, one of three straight defeats as they limp into the playoffs after blowing a home qualifying final.
Essentially nobody is giving them a sniff of beating the Crusaders, who it must be said are missing plenty of important cattle ahead of their push for another title.
At least the match is pancaked between the other qualifying finals.
The Crusaders play the Blues at 4.35pm.
In the other qualifying final, the Chiefs will meet the Reds at 7.05pm.
Source: stuff.co.nz
