Crusaders v Reds: Super Rugby Friday preview

The 2025 Super Rugby Pacific Qualifying Finals get underway on Friday night, starting with the Reds making the trip across the Tasman to take on the Crusaders in Christchurch.

With eight wins from their 14 regular-season games, the Reds did enough to finish in fifth place on the ladder to reach the finals.

The Cruasders managed to put a disappointing 2024 behind them and were back to their more familiar position near the top of the standings this season.

Winning 11 of their 14 games and finishing 11 points clear of the Reds, the Queenslanders will be fully aware of the scale of the challenge ahead of them at Apollo Projects Stadium.

Crusaders v Reds betting preview

Reds must break the trend

This has been a one-sided rivalry between these two teams and Christchurch has not been a happy destination for the Reds over the years.

Winning just two of their 16 Super Rugby Pacific games away at the Crusaders, with wins in 1999 and 2024, the Reds are the understandable 5.00 underdogs to claim the win on Friday.

The Crusaders have managed to win 20 of their last 21 Super Rugby Pacific games at Apollo Projects Stadium against Aussie opponents, which further highlights the size of the challenge that awaits Les Kiss’s side this week.

With the Queenslanders seemingly up against it, they might well feel like they have nothing to lose and will be going all out to cause a major upset in Christchurch this week.

Crusaders know how to play finals rugby

Currently on a 16-game winning streak in finals games in this competition, the Crusaders know how to get over the line in these pressure games.

The Crusaders have won 13 of their last 14 competitive games against the Reds, including a 43-19 victory when they met earlier this season in Brisbane.

With 1.91 available for the Crusaders with a -12.5 handicap, the hosts are the firm favourites but don’t expect this experienced winning side to take anything for granted against a dangerous Reds side.

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Crusaders v Reds odds

Crusaders - 1.16
Tie - 34.00
Reds - 5.00

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.