Sevu Reece (right) will be hoping for more Crusaders celebrations when they face the Blues on Friday for a place in the Super Rugby Pacific final. Photo / Getty Images
Sevu Reece (right) will be hoping for more Crusaders celebrations when they face the Blues on Friday for a place in the Super Rugby Pacific final. Photo / Getty Images
The Crusaders’ 27-year perfect home playoff record is on the line again as they size up the Blues for a place in the Super Rugby Pacific final.
It is a record that started with a 36-32 win over Coastal Sharks in 1998. The Crusaders have won all the playoffgames they’ve hosted since then, taking their unbeaten run to 30 games.
“It’s a great, great thing to have behind you. Just thinking about it now, 31 sounds better than 30,” says Crusaders assistant coach Brad Mooar.
Secondly, given that the playoffs are held in winter, they’re experts on a wet track. How many of those games were played in treacherous conditions is unclear but, suffice to say, at the very least they would have been subject to heavy dew under lights.
After more than a week of rain in Christchurch, enough to keep many community grounds closed, it’ll be another slow track at Addington. Another match where egos need to be parked and tactical smarts come to the fore.
David Havili has been a central figure in almost half of the Crusaders' 30-game unbeaten streak in home playoff matches. Photo / Photosport
“Territory is going to be massive because once you get into the 22s, it’s pretty hard to get out of there as a defensive side,” says Crusaders captain David Havili.
The experienced midfielder has played in 12 of his franchise’s 30 post-season wins.
He doesn’t see the conditions as benefiting his side but his clarity in explaining how to win in them suggests otherwise. Been there, done that.
“I don’t think we’re gonna be helped at all. I think it’s just gonna be up to our 10s and our drivers to lead us around the park and get us in the right areas of the field so we can apply the pressure,” says Havili.
The weather might well be the Crusaders’ 16th man, but the secret weapon that nobody’s acknowledging might only have a couple of rounds left in the chamber.
Christchurch’s new $683 million stadium is taking shape with the city's mayor Phil Mauger happy to see things progressing well. Photo / George Heard
If the rumours are to be believed, Christchurch’s new stadium could be finished before its scheduled completion date in April 2026 and it may be ready for round one of Super Rugby Pacific.
The elements will be almost entirely removed from the equation once the venue opens its doors next year. One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha promises to be the premier stadium in the country. A 30,000-seat rectangular ground in a prime central city location with a roof to keep the rain away. And the fog, for those who remember the 2006 final at Lancaster Park.
A wet South Island track won’t exist next season, unless games are played outside of Christchurch and Dunedin. So, what effect might that have on the Crusaders? The cold, wet conditions that have challenged fans to leave the house in recent years have clearly been too great a challenge for opponents. Will the roof change that?
Statistically, the Highlanders were a better team under the exposed skies at Carisbrook (1996-2011) than they have been under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium (2012-present). The enclosed playing field evened things slightly – and not in the host’s favour.
If the Crusaders do overcome the Blues, they’ll be back for at least one more match at Apollo Projects Stadium – a final against the Chiefs or the Brumbies. If they lose, the Blues will have pulled off a feat that no other side has managed in Super Rugby history – and the Crusaders might well have played their final match at what has been their “temporary” home since 2012.
Crusaders assistant coach Brad Mooar has some happy memories of Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch. Photo / Photosport
Despite the undeniable attraction to the shiny new fortress in the middle of the city, signing off from the former Rugby League Park might be more bitter than sweet for some.
“I’ve been really fortunate and grateful to have shared some wonderful moments here. Working and watching along the way and it’s been special. You go right back to how it was put together and why it was put together. It’s emotional,” says Mooar.
Crusaders fans may not be quite so sentimental, but they’ll be hoping for one more opportunity to cram into the scaffolded seats.
Crusaders’ home playoff history
1998: 36-32 v Coastal Sharks
2000: 37-15 v Highlanders
2002: 34-23 v Highlanders; 31-13 v Brumbies (final)
2003: 39-16 v Hurricanes
2004: 27-16 v Stormers
2005: 47-7 v Hurricanes; 35-25 v Waratahs (final)
2006: 35-15 v Bulls; 19-12 v Hurricanes (final)
2008: 33-22 v Hurricanes; 20-12 v Waratahs (final)
2011: 36-8 v Sharks (*Nelson)
2012: 28-13 v Bulls (Temporary Stadium)
2013: 38-9 v Reds
2014: 38-6 v Sharks
2017: 17-0 v Highlanders; 27-13 v Chiefs
2018: 40-10 v Sharks; 30-12 v Hurricanes; 37-18 v Lions (final)
2019: 38-14 v Highlanders; 30-26 v Hurricanes; 19-3 v Jaguares (final)
2021: 24-13 v Chiefs (final)
2022: 37-15 v Reds; 20-17 v Chiefs
2023: 49-8 v Drua; 52-15 v Blues
2025: 32-12 v Reds
Mike Thorpe is a senior journalist for the Herald, based in Christchurch. He has been a broadcast journalist across television and radio for 20 years and joined the Herald in August 2024.
