All you need to know ahead of the Crusaders v Blues qualifying final in Christchurch
Saturday, 6 June 2026
The Crusaders host the Blues in the second qualifying final on Saturday afternoon.
Kickoff at One New Zealand Stadium is at 4.35pm. The match will be broadcast live on Sky, while Stuff will provide live updates.
The Crusaders have won 23 of the last 26 games between the teams.
WHAT TO EXPECT
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 Saturday 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.
After all, should the Hurricanes beat the Brumbies, and the Chiefs roll the Reds later on Saturday night, both the Crusaders and Blues will advance to the semifinals regardless of the result.
They can thank the ‘Lucky Loser’ card for that.
TEAMS
Crusaders: Johnny McNicholl, Chay Fihaki, Dallas McLeod, David Havili (captain), Sevu Reece, Taha Kemara, Noah Hotham, Christian Lio-Willie, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Ethan Blackadder, Jamie Hannah, Antonio Shalfoon, George Bower, Codie Taylor, Finlay Brewis: Reserves: Manumaua Letiu, Jack Sexton, Gus Brown, Tahlor Cahill, Dom Gardner, Kyle Preston, Rivez Reihana, Braydon Ennor.
Blues: Zarn Sullivan, AJ Lam, Xavi Taele, Pita Ahki, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta, Sam Nock, Malachi Wrampling, Anton Segner, Torian Barnes, Sam Darry, Patrick Tuipulotu, Marcel Renata, Bradley Slater, Ofa Tu’ungafasi. Reserves: Eli Oudenryn, Mason Tupaea, Flyn Yates, Josh Beehre, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Corey Evans, Payton Spencer.
TAB ODDS
Crusaders $1.27 Blues $3.50
HEAD TO HEAD
Played 51: Crusaders 36 wins, Blues 14 wins, 1 draw