Crusaders perk up at prospect of piling more misery on the Blues

There’s no love lost when it comes to the Crusaders and Blues who will be facing off this Friday in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific semi-final.

The Crusaders love nothing more than beating the Blues, something they’ve done so regularly it’s almost laughable it’s referred to as a rivalry.

They’ve won 17 of the last 18 matches between the franchises, and 30 of the 42 since the competition’s inception in 1996.

This game will possibly be the last head-to-head between All Blacks pivots Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett, and Crusaders coach Scott Robertson and counterpart Leon MacDonald before they share the All Blacks coaching box from November.

Leon MacDonald, who helped coach the Crusaders to the 2017 title, has only tasted one victory against his former side since taking over the Blues in 2019 – last year’s first win in the so-called rivalry since 2014.

The Crusaders are now unbeaten through 28 home playoff games since 1996, many of which MacDonald featured in between 1997 and 2009.

The Crusaders host the Blues at 7.05pm Friday while the Chiefs play the Brumbies at 7.05pm Saturday.

Source: Stuff