Crusaders eye gold again

A REJUVENATED Crusaders face the Reds to kick off the Super Rugby playoffs today at 9.05am, with the New Zealand side chasing an eighth title in nine years after a disastrous 2024.

The Christchurch-based Crusaders won seven straight titles under head coach Scott Robertson but endured a torrid season last year after he left to take charge of the All Blacks.

The Crusaders won only four games and failed to make the playoffs under new mentor Rob Penney.

A year on, the Crusaders finished in second place, giving them home advantage against the Reds as they seek a semi-finals berth.

The Crusaders have won 13 of their past 14 matches against the Reds, and three of four finals matches between the two teams.

When the sides met earlier this year in round four, the Crusaders won 43-19.

The Chiefs finished top and they face the defending champions Blues in Hamilton tomorrow at 9.05am knowing - win or lose - they are guaranteed to make the semi-finals.

As the number one ranked side, they have a guaranteed lifeline in a revamped finals system that sees the round's three winners, and the highest seeded loser progress to the final four.

The final play-off tomorrow at 11.35am sees the Hurricanes travel to Canberra to face the third-seeded ACT Brumbies.

The Hurricanes are undefeated in their last six Super Rugby matches, but the Brumbies have won three of the five previous playoff encounters between the sides.