Blues vs Crusaders Prediction: Crusaders hoping to end their poor run

Super Rugby Pacific action in Round 5 will showcase a clash between the Blues and the Crusaders. Heading into this matchup, the Blues are considered heavy favorites, especially considering the Crusaders have yet to secure a victory this season.

The Blues have made a solid start to the tournament, winning three of their opening four matches. Currently occupying fourth place, they are just one point behind the third-placed Chiefs. In the opening round, the Blues secured a comfortable 34-10 victory at home against Fijian Drua before defeating the Highlanders 37-29 in Melbourne. However, they suffered a 29-21 loss to the Hurricanes in round three. Last week, the Blues managed a narrow 12-10 win against the Waratahs in Sydney, in a closely contested match. As they head into this game, the Blues have won three of their last four matches and have an impressive record at Eden Park, winning 18 of their last 20 matches there.

The Crusaders have faced a challenging start to the Super Rugby season, suffering losses in their opening four matches. This losing streak marks their longest ever in the competition and is also the longest ever for a defending champion at the beginning of the tournament. The transition in coaching staff has likely contributed to their inconsistent form, although it's expected that the Crusaders will eventually find their rhythm. However, the timing of their resurgence remains uncertain. Their defeats this season include losses to the Chiefs, Waratahs in Melbourne, Fijian Drua, and a home loss to the Hurricanes. Despite these setbacks, they have managed to secure losing bonus points in two of these four matches. Notably, the Crusaders have won their last four encounters against the Blues, indicating their potential to turn their season around.

The Crusaders currently find themselves second from bottom with just two points, a position that few would have anticipated at the start of the season. Despite this, they boast a strong team and are expected to string together a series of positive results in due course. However, securing a win at Eden Park against the Blues, who are performing impressively, will undoubtedly be a tough challenge. Nevertheless, the Crusaders have confidence in their abilities and I believe they have the potential to cover the nine-point handicap.