‘Might just catch them out’: Crusaders set for ‘must-win’ Rebels clash

Former All Black Mils Muliaina has labelled the Crusaders’ clash with the Melbourne Rebels as a “must-win” as the defending champions look to remain in the race for a spot in the playoffs.

Following a tough two-game road trip across the ditch, which saw them lose to the Waratahs and Western Force, the Crusaders have returned home for their most important match of the season.

The Crusaders, who currently sit last on the Super Rugby Pacific table with just one win from eight matches to date, will take on the high-flying Rebels at Apollo Projects Stadium this week.

With the Crusaders currently six points out of the top eight, another defeat could spark disaster for a New Zealand side that’s traditionally used to controlling the narrative at the other end of the table.

“You’ve got to remember the last outing they had at home they beat a top outfit (in the Chiefs),” the Rugby World Cup-winning All Black said on Stan Sports’ The Call Up.

“This is a different side… often when you get teams under pressure as they are at the bottom of the table, they tend to chase and work a lot harder. You often hear the phrase, ‘You’re working too hard than what you should be.’

“That might just catch them out, the fact that they’re overthinking things on defence.

‘The biggest issue at the moment is they are scoring tries, you see Sevu Reece playing very well, but they’re really leaking points.

“Will home advantage play a big factor? You’d love to think so as a Crusaders fan but given the points they’ve leaked in these last few weeks, there’s worrying signs there at the moment for the Crusaders camp.”

While the Crusaders have struggled on matchday, there’s no denying the reigning champions have also had to do it the hard way with big-name players going down with injuries.

All Black Tamati Williams was injured in the opening match of the season, and British & Irish Lions great Leigh Halfpenny was sidelined after picking up a blow during a pre-season clash with Munster.

The Crusaders have looked to navigate through these injury challenges without much success, with their only win of the season to date coming against the Chiefs at home on March 29.

But in a boost, coach Rob Penney has welcomed Scott Barrett back to the run-on side, and David Havili will come off the bench. The Crusaders have made seven changes to their starting side in total.

These changes, as Crusaders fans will hope, could make a positive difference for the struggling rugby team on Friday night. But win or lose, Muliaina believes the Crusaders should stick with their coach.

“Oh, huge pressure. I think that’s been the talking point a lot,” Muliaina added when asked about Rob Penney. “I’m probably a believer in the fact that you’ve got to stick with him.

“They’re now far off the top eight (but) they’ve got to win the next two. This game here for them, it’s a must-win if they want to make that eight.

“The Rebels are in the top four and it’s a chance for the Crusaders to just stay intact.

“Scott Barrett will bring that influence and hopefully they will have a big crowd that they’ve been used to when they have been winning.”