The Crusaders face the impossible to win Super Rugby title

Seta Tamanivalu of the Crusaders scores a try against the Chiefs. Photosport

The Crusaders have to do what no team has ever done before if they want to lift the Super Rugby trophy for an eighth time.

Despite losing just one game during the regular season, the Crusaders must head to South Africa to face the Lions in Johannesburg in Sunday's final.

No team has ever travelled across the Indian Ocean and won a final.

On five occasions a team has made the trip from South Africa to Australia or New Zealand, and vice versa, and each time they have lost. The Lions were the last team to make trip and head home with nothing, losing to the Hurricanes in last year's final.

In fact only one team has won a Super Rugby final outside of their own country. 14 teams have played a final outside their own country with 13 losing.

The Crusaders are the only team to win the title outside their own country, claiming the 2000 title in Canberra with a 20-19 victory.

Now, some positive news for the Crusaders. The TAB have listed the seven-time champions as $1.70 favourites to win on Sunday morning. The Lions are paying $2.15.

Heading straight to South Africa following a Saturday night is a big ask but the Crusaders pulled it off the last two regular seasons. After thrashing the Stormers in round nine this year, the Crusaders hoped on a plane and travelled to Bloemfontein where they eased by the Cheetahs 48-21 seven days later.

They went straight from Christchurch to Durban last season, beating the Sharks.

The Crusaders last played in Johannesburg last July, losing to the Lions in the quarter-final, 42-25.

Teams to play Super Rugby finals outside own country
1996 - Blues beat Sharks
1997 - Blues beat Brumbies
2000 - Crusaders beat Brumbies
2001 - Brumbies beat Sharks
2002 - Crusaders beat Brumbies
2004 - Brumbies beat Crusaders
2005 - Crusaders beat Waratahs
2008 - Crusaders beat Waratahs
2009 - Bulls beat Chiefs
2011 - Reds beat Crusaders
2012 - Chiefs beat Sharks
2013 - Chiefs beat Brumbies
2014 - Waratahs beat Crusaders
2016 - Hurricanes beat Lions