The Crusaders have the luxury of consistency as they further their pursuit of another title. But this week, something of a wildcard Blues side stand in their way.
The Crusaders escaped Wellington with a win, but only narrowly after some poor decisions late in the piece compounded pressure in the windy city.
The Crusaders sent a message to the rest of the competition in Super Rugby Pacific with a 31-24 win over the Hurricanes at Sky Stadium.
Super Rugby Pacific's week-by-week Player of the Year voting system has been bringing fans an insight into which players have been impressing opposition the most in 2025.
The Crusaders ventured into the cauldron of Fijian rugby for their round eight matchup but refused to melt away in a hard-hitting affair.
All Black and Crusaders winger Sevu Reece will line up in the midfield for the first time in his Super Rugby career when the Crusaders face the Drua in Fiji.
An iconic rivalry took centre stage at Eden Park on Saturday night as the Blues hosted the Crusaders, drawing an enthused crowd in Auckland.
The Crusaders bench has received a significant boost ahead of their clash with the Blues at Eden Park this weekend, with All Black Noah Hotham and veteran lock Quinten Strange set to return from injury.
Crusaders wingers Sevu Reece and Macca Springer scored three and five tries, respectively, in a 55-33 defeat of the Western Force in Christchurch.
Crusaders head coach Rob Penney has made five changes to his team to play the Western Force at home in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon.