The Crusaders will look to complete the second three peat of their history when they host the Jaguares in the Super Rugby final at the Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday the 6th of July.
Crusaders v Jaguares
6 July 09h35
Orangetheory Stadium
To Win
Crusaders 1/16
Draw 30/1
Jagaures 15/4
Handicap
Crusaders (-12) 9/10
Jagaures (+12) 9/10
The feat, only achieved once before by the Crusaders sides of 1998-2000, will also mark a record-extending 10th title for the Cantabrians.
Scott Robertson’s men virtually led the Super Rugby charts from the get-go on their way to claiming 11-round-robin wins from 16-regular season games in 2019. Aside from somewhat of a mid-season wobble, the competition’s most successful franchise has been every inch the formidable force we have come to expect under Robertson.
They face the Jaguares this weekend, a side that has come on in leaps and bounds under the solid stewardship of Gonzalo Quesada and which is set to play in their first-ever final since joining the competition in 2016.
The Argentine’s comfortably topped the SA conference to finish second overall behind the Crusaders after seeing off, amongst others, the likes of the Hurricanes, Bulls, Sharks and Blues during the regular season.
In their quarterfinal a fortnight ago, they did well to battle past a tough Chiefs outfit 21-16 before thumping the Brumbies 39-7. In fact, their last loss came against the Highlanders in Dunedin in May. If they are to maintain their unbeaten run and claim an inaugural title, all facets of their game need to be pinpoint; particularly with cold and wet conditions likely.
The Kiwis have been dealt a massive blow with the news that Ryan Crotty and Scott Barrett have been ruled out injured, with the duo unlikely to get back on the park anytime soon. That said, two more than capable deputies in Braydon Ennor and Luke Romano are expected to slot into the starting XV, though there’s no denying what a loss Crotty and Barrett will be to the men in red.
Verdict: Crusaders (-12) 9/10
The Jaguares, led by the indefatigable Jeronimo de la Fuente in midfield, should look to capitalize on the absence of the Crusaders’ experienced players but may still come unstuck. While they have done superbly to tighten up their game this season, the Cantabrians’ lethal finishing and low error count should see them claim a win of 12-points or more.
Written by Shaun Goosen
