Blues vs Crusaders: Head-to-Head Record, Finals and 2026 Games

Blues vs Crusaders is a derby the Crusaders have owned for most of Super Rugby’s history. Before the sides met on 8 May 2026 the Crusaders counted 50 games between them, with 35 wins to the Blues’ 15, and the Blues had taken only four of 25 games played in Christchurch. The Crusaders then won the next two meetings as well, both at home.

This page pulls together the full head-to-head record, every knockout meeting, the three games the teams played in 2026 and what those numbers can — and cannot — tell you before the next one.

The Blues vs Crusaders head-to-head record

The Crusaders’ own statistics, published just before the 8 May 2026 game, put the record at 35 wins to 15 from 50 matches since Super Rugby began in 1996. The two Crusaders wins that followed — 36–20 in round 13 and 52–31 in the qualifying final — take the tally to 37–15 from 52 meetings.

All-time counts do vary by source, because different tallies include or exclude pre-season fixtures and treat drawn or abandoned games differently. The figures here follow the Crusaders’ published club record, which is the most consistent run of numbers for this specific fixture.

It was not always so lopsided. The Blues won the first two Super 12 titles, in 1996 and 1997, and the balance only swung after the Crusaders won the 1998 final at Eden Park. The Crusaders have since built up 13 titles in all, while the Blues have four: 1996, 1997, 2003 and 2024.

Christchurch is where the gap is widest. Going into May 2026 the Crusaders had won 21 of 25 home games against the Blues, and their record since 2006 read 19 wins from 20. The one blemish came in April 2022, when the Blues finally won in Christchurch again.

Every Blues v Crusaders knockout meeting

The sides have met six times in the Super Rugby play-offs — three grand finals and three later knockout games — and the Crusaders have won five of the six.

The 1998 final gave the Crusaders their first title, sealed by a late James Kerr try. Five years later the Blues avenged that defeat, beating the Crusaders 21–17 at Eden Park for the 2003 crown — their last title for 21 years, until 2024.

The 2022 final at Eden Park went to the Crusaders 21–7, despite the Blues having been the stronger side through the regular season. The three knockout games since then have all been in Christchurch, and the Crusaders have won every one, by increasingly comfortable margins in 2023 and 2026. Our Super Rugby Pacific explainer sets out how the current finals format works.

The three Blues v Crusaders games of 2026

Round 4, Saturday 7 March, Eden Park: Blues 29, Crusaders 13. Caleb Clarke scored a hat-trick, crossing twice inside the first nine minutes as the Blues raced to a big early lead. The win ended a four-game losing run against the Crusaders.

Round 13, Friday 8 May, One New Zealand Stadium: Crusaders 36, Blues 20. The rematch at the Crusaders’ new Christchurch home doubled as prop George Bower’s 100th game for the club. The Crusaders pulled clear through the middle of the match before the Blues added two late tries.

Qualifying final, Saturday 6 June, One New Zealand Stadium: Crusaders 52, Blues 31. The Blues led 7–0 through Sam Nock, but number eight Malachi Wrampling was sent off around the 18th minute for a high tackle on Leicester Fainga’anuku. The Crusaders led 33–14 at half-time, Johnny McNicholl scored a hat-trick and the home side ran in eight tries to five.

The Blues still reached the semi-finals as the highest-ranked losing team, but under the 2026 play-off rules they had to travel, and lost 57–21 to the Hurricanes in Wellington. The Crusaders were beaten 49–12 by the Chiefs in the other semi-final, and the Hurricanes went on to win the 2026 title. For dates and the draw, see our Super Rugby fixtures page.

Why Christchurch decides this rivalry

The Crusaders’ strength at home is not limited to this fixture. The 2025 semi-final win over the Blues took their Super Rugby home play-off record to 31–0; their 2025 title win and the 2026 qualifying final then stretched it to 33–0. They have never lost a knockout game in Christchurch under the current competition.

For the Blues the numbers are stark: four wins from 25 games in Christchurch before May 2026, then two more defeats at One New Zealand Stadium that season. They have shown the Crusaders can be beaten — at Eden Park in March 2026, and in Christchurch in April 2022, their first win there since 2004 — but away wins in this fixture remain rare. The 2025 season review shows how narrowly they lost that year’s semi-final, 21–14.

If you follow other all-New-Zealand match-ups, our Chiefs vs Brumbies head-to-head breaks down a very different rivalry in the same competition.

How a Blues v Crusaders line bet settles

Line betting (also called handicap betting) gives one team a points head start to even out the contest. A team listed at -12.5 has to win by 13 or more to “cover”; a team at +12.5 covers if it wins, draws, or loses by 12 or fewer. Using real 2026 scores shows how it would have played out:

• In the qualifying final the Crusaders won by 21 (52–31). A Crusaders bet at -12.5 would have won; a Blues bet at +12.5 would have lost.
• In round 4 the Blues won by 16 (29–13). A Blues bet at +4.5 would have won — and so would a Blues bet at -4.5, since they won by more than that.
• In round 13 the Crusaders won by 16 (36–20), so they covered any line smaller than that margin.

For a fuller walk-through of handicaps, totals and head-to-head prices, see our guide to how to read betting lines in NZ.

Betting on Blues v Crusaders in New Zealand

Head-to-head history is context, not a forecast. Squads change every season, and a record built up over almost 30 years says little about injuries, selection or form in any particular week.

If you follow Super Rugby from New Zealand, TAB NZ is the only operator legally allowed to offer online sports and racing betting to people here, and you must be 18 or over. Our rugby betting guide explains the main markets, and the TAB NZ overview covers deposit limits and time-out tools.

Responsible gambling in New Zealand

This page is general sports information for readers aged 18 and over. It is not betting, financial or legal advice, and it does not encourage anyone to gamble. Since 28 June 2025, TAB NZ has been the only operator allowed to offer online racing and sports betting to people in New Zealand.

If gambling is causing problems for you or someone close to you, free and confidential help is available 24/7 from the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655 or free text 8006. The Problem Gambling Foundation also offers free counselling.

Frequently asked questions

Who has won more games, the Blues or the Crusaders?

The Crusaders, by a wide margin. Their published club record of 35 wins to 15 from 50 games, plus two more Crusaders wins later in 2026, gives a 37–15 lead from 52 Super Rugby meetings.

When did the Blues last beat the Crusaders?

In round 4 of 2026, when the Blues won 29–13 at Eden Park on 7 March. Caleb Clarke scored a hat-trick in that game.

Have the Blues and Crusaders met in a Super Rugby final?

Three times in the grand final. The Crusaders won in 1998 and 2022, and the Blues won in 2003, with all three played at Eden Park.

How often have the Blues won in Christchurch?

Four times in 25 games before May 2026, according to the Crusaders, their most recent win there coming in April 2022. They lost both of their Christchurch visits later in 2026.

What happened in the 2026 Blues v Crusaders qualifying final?

The Crusaders won 52–31 in Christchurch after Blues number eight Malachi Wrampling was sent off around the 18th minute. Johnny McNicholl scored a hat-trick and the Crusaders led 33–14 at the break.

Who has more Super Rugby titles, the Blues or the Crusaders?

The Crusaders have 13 titles and the Blues four, won in 1996, 1997, 2003 and 2024.