Scott Barrett scores a try during the Crusaders v Chiefs, Super Rugby Pacific match, Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch. Photo: Martin Hunter/ActionPress
Crusaders vs Waratahs
Kick-off: 9:35pm Friday 16 May
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
The Crusaders are missing their skipper and All Blacks front rowers Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell but they're confident they can get back to winning ways.
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett and Newell are injured, while Taylor is being rested from a Crusaders side already without All Blacks Will Jordan and Ethan Blackadder.
Codie Taylor of the Crusaders scores a try. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 www.photosport.nz
The race to be Super Rugby's top qualifier is now well and truly on, with the Crusaders, Brumbies and Chiefs seemingly in a three way battle for first place and home advantage in the playoffs.
The Crusaders have three games left, while the Chiefs and Brumbies have two each.
The third placed Crusaders take on the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Friday night knowing that a bonus point win would take them to the top of the standings. A win without a bonus point would take them level with the Chiefs, who have a bye this weekend.
Crusaders coach Rob Penney said they learnt a lot from the 35-19 defeat to the Chiefs in Christchurch.
"Our game management was a bit sloppy, particularly in the second half," Penney said.
"We did such a good job in the first half and we went away from it a little bit in the second half. Number of reasons for that. We've had a great review, got great alignment.
"The coaches have done a great job of the reset heading into the Waratahs because we'll need to be good over there."
Teddy Wilson of the Waratahs scores a try. Photo: Dean Lewins/Photosport
Penney believes the eighth placed Waratahs will be dangerous.
"They're the best team when at home. They have a great record there. They've struggled away, but dangerous at home. We're excited about that challenge," Penney said.
The Waratahs have had more success than any other Australian side against the Crusaders in recent times, beating them three times since 2017, the most recent last season. All of those wins were in Australia.
"They get up (for matches against the Crusaders), they love the challenge of playing one of the best teams in the world and they consistently get up for that game," Penney said.
"They've been massively difficult for every Crusaders team they have played, whether it's been here or over there. They're a dangerous proposition if we're not in the right space. Short turnaround, travel, there's a lot of little banana skins that we've got to be wary of."
Penney said the Crusaders have focused on ending matches strongly after a tough second half against the Chiefs.
"In any sport you want to be on the front foot early and get your game going. You could have said last week we got that underway pretty well and then folded, which has been a bit of a challenge for us, finishing properly.
"We want to start well and end well and have a great middle. That's our challenge this week."
