Super Rugby Pacific Fijian Drua 20-10 Crusaders Rugby Union fixture at Churchill Park on March 9, 2024. As the Crusaders begin the Super Rugby Pacific season with two losses, it’s critical time.
Prior to the 2024 season, the most successful team in the competition’s history lost all-time great coach Scott Robertson and a number of players to injury or abroad travel.
The Christchuch-based club, who have occasionally appeared directionless against the Chiefs and Waratahs, is playing a crucial game with rugby scores.
Read More: how to Watch Super Rugby Pacific 2024
Fijian Drua vs Crusaders Head to Head
In their three encounters with the Fijian Drua, the Crusaders have prevailed twice, including in the Super Rugby quarterfinal from the previous year. Drua pulled off a huge shock by defeating the Crusaders 25–24 in the 2023 regular season.
The Fijian Drua will be dissatisfied with their season debut. They advanced to the quarterfinals the previous year, and they had high hopes for 2024.
The Drua have lost both of their initial games, but it is still very much in reach. Drua lost 34-10 to the Blues in the opening round before falling 39-36 to Moana in Melbourne the previous weekend.
Drua will undoubtedly believe that they should have won the game over the weekend because it was so entertaining. To stop teams far stronger than Moana, they will need to tighten up their defensive, though.
Fijian Drua vs Crusaders Predictions
With an eight-point handicap, the Crusaders are the clear favourites going into this match. Since 1996, they have not dropped their first three games, and this weekend, I think they will do it again. But since the Drua are formidable at home, I predict the hosts to win by eight points.
- Fijian Drua have won 4 of their last 5 matches in Fiji
- Crusaders have won 2 of their last 3 matches against Fijian Drua
- Crusaders have lost their last 2 matches
- Crusaders have not lost their opening 3 matches of a season since 1996
