23 January, 2026, 10:05 am Central - 30°C Clouds

Crusaders want to keep playoff winning record at home intact

Crusaders want to keep playoff winning record at home intact

By Mosese Raqio
12/06/2023
Photo:Crusaders

Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific defending champions, the Crusaders will be looking to keep their playoffs winning record at home intact when they take on the Blues on Friday night in Christchurch.

For the past 27 years of Super Rugby, no visiting team has won a playoff game in Christchurch and that record will again be on the line this weekend against an ever-improving Blues side.

With both sides having injury concerns heading into this weekend, both teams will be reaching deep into their well of players to cover up for the holes left by the injured players.

The Crusaders finished their quarter-final clash against the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua with just 13 men on the pitch because of injury while the Blues were hit with their setback as lock Patrick Tuipolotu has been ruled out with a broken arm and Caleb Clarke was absent in their quarter-final with a quad issue.

Former gold medalist with the All Black Sevens, Karl Te Nana has highlighted that this Blues team possesses the ability to punish teams in ways last season’s side couldn’t.

He says the Blues at the moment are finding ways to score and they’re quite explosive and very different from last season.

He adds the Blues have got that X-factor that they can strike from anywhere.

The Blues will take on the Crusaders at 7.05pm Friday in Christchurch.

The second semi final will be between the Brumbies and the Chiefs at 7.05pm Saturday in Hamilton.


DateTimeTeamTeam

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
15-year-old student dies following vehicle accident in Nadi
A 15-year-old boy has passed away following an accident in Nadi.Police say the 15-year-old, along with seven other students, was travelling towards Na...
3 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
16-year-old boy drowns while swimming with friends in Narewa River
A 16-year-old boy has drowned while swimming in Narewa River in Nadi.Police say the boy was swimming with friends when the incident occurred ...
1 hour ago

Masters of the Universe Trailer: Nicholas Galitzine powers up as He-Man and battles Jared Leto’s Skeletor
He has the power. Amazon MGM has released a trailer for “Masters of the Universe,” Travis Knight’s live-action adaptation of Mattel’s ...
2 hours ago

iTaukei disadvantage drives GCC push for Education Bill reform
Nearly 70 percent of Fiji’s poor live in rural areas, up to 82 percent of drug-related crimes are committed by young iTaukei men, and more than 90 ...
2 hours ago

Lautoka residents turn out in numbers to recycle bottles and cans
Residents in Lautoka turned out in large numbers at the IYC Children’s Park to recycle bottles and cans, helping the environment following the ...
3 hours ago

Engineers Fiji stresses data indicates proper geotech assessment needed for Great Han development
As legal challenges and issues continue to be raised regarding the construction of buildings like Great Han on the Tamavua Ridge along Princes Road ...
17 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Ailava Samuels to represent Fiji in Miss Pacific Pageant
Miss Fiji 2025 first runner-up and Miss Nasinu, Ailava Samuels, has been officially appointed as Fiji’s representative to next month's Miss ...
23 hours ago

Referendum Bill risks undermining democracy - Dialogue Fiji
The National Referendum Bill risks undermining democracy by criminalising political expression, enabling state overreach and excluding young people ...
3 days ago

Shocking move : FNU reassigned under PM
The Fiji National University is being reassigned under the Prime Minister's Office Ministerial Portfolio via the Ministry of Strategic Planning, ...
3 days ago

TOP