History is on the Crusaders' side as they get set to host the Hurricanes in Saturday's Super Rugby semifinal.
The Hurricanes have never beaten the Crusaders at the business end of the season.
The Crusaders won all four finals series encounters against the Hurricanes between 2003 and 2008 in an era where the All Blacks‑stacked southern franchise boasted Richie McCaw and Dan Carter.
Since their first post‑season trip 20 years ago, the Crusaders have appeared in 16 Super Rugby semifinals, winning 11 ‑ including the first seven they contested between 1998 and 2006.
They lost their first semifinal in 2007 and have suffered another four defeats since ‑ winning three and losing four in the last decade.
The Crusaders also lost back‑to‑back semifinals against the Chiefs in Hamilton in 2012 and 2013 ‑ the Chiefs' title years.
However, the Crusaders have never lost a semifinal in Christchurch and have had the wood on the Hurricanes four times ‑ at the semis stage on three occasions and in the 2006 "foggy final".
The Crusaders will take on the Hurricanes at 7.35pm Saturday in the first semifinal while the Lions host the Waratahs at 1.05am Sunday.
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