RECAP: Crusaders v Western Force

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Round Four match between the Crusaders and Western Force in Christchurch.

The Crusaders have won five of their last six Super Rugby matches against the Western Force, including their last three in succession – the longest winning run by either side in the history of this fixture.

The Crusaders have scored 50+ points in each of their last two Super Rugby matches; only twice in Super Rugby history has any team scored 50+ points in three consecutive games (Bulls – 3 games in 2009/2010; Lions – 3 games in 2017).

The Western Force have scored <10 points in each of their last two Super Rugby away matches; although, they have never been kept to under double figures in three consecutive away games.

* To read our pre-match predictions, CLICK HERE!

* Our live blog will appear below, it might take a little while to load, please be patient. We apologise for the inconvenience!

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Teams:

Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Manasa Mataele, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 David Havili, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10 Fergus Burke, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Cullen Grace, 7 Sione Havili Talitui, 6 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 5 Mitchell Dunshea, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams.

Replacements: 16 Nathan Vella, 17 Isileli Tu’ungafasi, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Tom Sanders, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Dallas McLeod, 23 Josh McKay.

Western Force: 15 Jake Strachan, 14 Toni Pulu, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kyle Godwin (captain), 11 Richard Kahui, 10 Domingo Miotti, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Ollie Callan, 7 Kane Koteka, 6 Fergus Lee-Warner, 5 Sitaleki Timani, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Feleti Kaitu’u, 1 Tom Robertson.

Replacements: 16 Andrew Ready, 17 Angus Warner, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Ryan McCauley, 20 Tim Anstee, 21 Ian Prior, 22 Jack McGregor, 23 Jordan Olowofela.

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe

Assistant referees: James Doleman, Brendon Pickerill

TMO: Chris Hart