Crusaders vs Western Force: Where the Match Will Be Won and Lost
The Western force kicked off 2025 in red hot form, beating Moana Pasifika after the buzzer. A late win against the Brumbies in Canberra looked like a foundational win for the franchise moving forward. However, Simon Acton’s team head to Canterbury to play the Crusaders off the back of back-to-back losses versus the Reds and Waratahs. Now missing some key players, the Force are already on the back foot against a revitalised Crusaders team. It’s been a tough period for the Force who would have hoped for some points from this three-game window but there’s a massive effort from the boys in blue to make sure this season isn’t another nearly year.
Crusaders
Western Force
The Western force kicked off 2025 in red hot form, beating Moana Pasifika after the buzzer. A late win against the Brumbies in Canberra looked like a foundational win for the franchise moving forward. However, Simon Acton’s team head to Canterbury to play the Crusaders off the back of back-to-back losses versus the Reds and Waratahs. Now missing some key players, the Force are already on the back foot against a revitalised Crusaders team. It’s been a tough period for the Force who would have hoped for some points from this three-game window but there’s a massive effort from the boys in blue to make sure this season isn’t another nearly year.
Rob Penney’s side look a team reborn. Kyle Preston may be one of the finds of the season. This team has a new look and feel to it, they’ve said goodbye to many a stalwart over the last few seasons, but if they can manage their key players to keep them fit and healthy come the end of the season they’ll be in a terrific position to compete come knockout rugby time. Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder and Christian Lio-Willie are this team’s real strength. They’re the guys who lay the platform for danger men Sevu Reece and Will Jordan to strike out wide. From that trio, only Lio-Willie is fit to start, so this weekend’s fixture will be a great litmus test for the Crusaders on how they cope without their biggest weapons.
Let’s look at there match ups that will set the tone for the result.
Young Guns Making Their Case
Kyle Preston has been a revelation at number 9 this year for the Crusaders. It’s easy to point to his tries but what’s more impressive is the fact he steers the ship so well. The Crusaders look like the team of old with him distributing from the base of the ruck which is no mean feat.
It’s a big opportunity for the Western Force’s Isaac Fines-Leleiwasa. He’s done well off the bench, injecting tempo into a tiring team. Often times impact from the bench can be held against you when it’s comes to the starting team so now is the time to show Simon Cron and co he’s the man to take over when Nic White steps away. Although IFL is missing his starting back row for some front foot ball, the Force are once again able to call on Jeremy Williams and Darcy Swain for that punch up front.
It’s going to be a great contest between the halfbacks this weekend.
Standard Setting in the Second Row
Scott Barrett stands head and shoulders above his fellow second rowers this weekend, literally and figuratively. His experience in an All Blacks jersey separates him from the rest. Can we get a shout out for Antonio Shalfoon? Has to be in the mix for one of the cooler names in the comp!
The 27 year old has done well this season and has combined well with Barrett but this week will be a great measurement of his game. Jeremy Williams arguably was Australia’s breakout player last season, which is saying something given the explosive arrival of Joseph Suaalii. The Force captain had a terrific year with the Wallabies but is still a youngling in the international arena. In the space of one year with the Wallabies he’s managed to be both an up and comer and key part of Australia’s pack.
Darcy Swain is trying desperately to put himself back in the picture for a Wallabies recall. He’s been physical this year, very direct and gets through a boatload of carrying for this team. Lining up opposite Scott Barrett is a great test for this aspiring duo.
From the Western force perspective, it’s imperative that they give clean ball to IFL off the lineout. The Force can’t afford to start their set-piece attacks on the back foot from sloppy ball. The second row is an area of strength for this Western Force team and there’s a massive onus on Williams and Swain to deliver top tier ball that reflects their international aspirations.
It’s going to be a tough week for the Force. I don’t think they necessarily need to come away with a win but they need to deliver a performance to convince fans they’re a different calibre of team this year.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | PD | BP | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | • |  Chiefs | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 47 | 2 | 14 |
| 2 | ▲ |  Waratahs | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 13 |
| 3 | • |  Highlanders | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 9 |
| 4 | ▲ |  Crusaders | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 9 |
| 5 | ▼ |  Queensland Reds | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| 6 | ▲ |  Brumbies | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -13 | 1 | 9 |
| 7 | ▼ |  Western Force | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -24 | 1 | 9 |
| 8 | ▲ |  Fijian Drua | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -9 | 3 | 7 |
| 9 | ▲ |  Moana Pasifika | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -14 | 2 | 6 |
| 10 | ▼ |  Blues | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -16 | 2 | 6 |
| 11 | ▼ |  Hurricanes | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -17 | 1 | 5 |