Blues coach Vern Cotter has drawn attention to the Crusaders’ remarkable 30-match unbeaten run in Super Rugby home playoff matches, saying the record will bring its own "heavy" pressure.
The defending champion Blues will play the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday night in the first semifinal and will travel with the confidence of a team in winning form under a coach prepared to fire a few subtle psychological digs along the way.
“We’re enjoying this,” Cotter said today after his side came from behind to beat the Chiefs 20-19 in last weekend’s qualifier at Waikato Stadium.
“That’s the key thing. Going down to Canterbury – we’re aware of their record. Thirty without losing. One day they’re going to lose and they’ve got the pressure of that on top of them.”
Cotter, the former head coach of French club Clermont Auvergne, returned to his theme when telling the assembled media at Blues’ headquarters: "They’re going to lose one day. When I was at Clermont, we won 77 [home] games in a row and, in the end, the pressure was heavy.
"One day we knew it was going to happen. They’re on 30 and one day it’s going to happen. Will it be this week? I don’t know but the boys will be up to push it as best they can."
Clermont’s run was broken by rivals Castres in a playoff match in 2014.
Shortly afterwards, Cotter took the reins as Scotland’s head coach, so it is fair to say the former Crusaders assistant has experienced most things rugby can provide at the top level.
The Crusaders, who breezed past the Reds 32-12 in their qualifier last weekend to continue their streak, will start the match as favourites — likely in cold and wet conditions in what may be their final playoff match at their draughty "temporary" home stadium for well over a decade.
Hand tipped in win over Reds
But Cotter’s comments have merit and his side will compete far better in the set piece than the Queenslanders, who gave up five scrum penalties last weekend.
"That’s how they accessed their game against the Reds – it was through their scrum and lineout and field position," Cotter said.
"There will be some chess to be played around that… from there it will go to collisions and the gain line and, once you get there, you have options.
"It could be 80 minutes, it could be longer. We’re getting ready for potential extra-time stuff. We’re mentally preparing... for a rugged sort of evening.
"The guys know how to win big games and that’s what it’s about."
The Chiefs, who earned a lifeline by finishing top seeds after the round robin, will host the Brumbies in the other semifinal on Saturday night.
There was no such safety net for the Blues last weekend, and their desperation in the final five minutes as they searched for the winning try eventually provided by replacement lock Josh Beehre will likely have contributed to the contrasting fortunes of the teams at Waikato Stadium.
Should the Crusaders and Chiefs both win, the red and blacks will host the final after the Clayton McMillan’s men dropped a place due to their loss to the Blues.
The Crusaders’ record at this time of year is undeniable – as is their record in this competition; seven championships between 2017 and 2023 under former head coach Scott Robertson.
"They just understand the important parts of the game," Cotter added. "They’re a team who know how to win big games as well. That’s why, over the last eight years, only two teams have won this competition."
However, the Crusaders’ record in 2024 – four victories in total under then new head coach Rob Penney — was woeful. There remains more than a hint of vulnerability about this team, who this season have lost heavily to the Chiefs (home and away) and Moana Pasifika (home).
Added impetus for Blues
The Blues, who got within three points of the Crusaders in Christchurch in April, also have the added motivation of playing for Cameron Suafoa, the squad member who has just had surgery for cancer.
Suafoa’s partner posted a video of him in his hospital room celebrating Beehre’s match-winning try for the Blues.
"These players care for each other and seeing Cam like that – it has an effect," Cotter said. "Just seeing him cheer for the team when they got over makes all the hard work worthwhile."
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