Crusaders' impeccable record at stake in Super Rugby semi showdown

The Chiefs must defy history if they are to beat the Crusaders in Christchurch in the opening Super Rugby semi-final on Friday.

The Crusaders are the most successful team ever in the southern hemisphere club competition and have been invincible playing sudden-death matches on home turf.

In 27 years of Super Rugby, the 12-times champions have played 26 knockout games at home and never been defeated.

The second semi-final, on Saturday, features the Blues and Brumbies, two sides looking to revive their glory days when they dominated the championship in its formative years.

The Chiefs have also had past Super Rugby success, winning the competition in 2012 and 2013, and showed ominous signs of a revival when they edged the Crusaders 24-21 in Christchurch this year.

But that was during the regular season and Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said that scoreline has loomed large in talk this week.

"It's a firm reminder that a team like that on their day can test anyone," said Robertson, who will be marking his 100th game in charge of the Crusaders.

"Any Kiwi team can effectively have their moments that can change games. We've reminded each other from the last game."

The two teams feature 21 All Blacks between them, including Crusaders locks Sam Whitelock and Scott Barrett against the Waikato pair Brodie Retallick and Tupou Vaa'i.

Barrett said there will be no love lost between the Test teammates.

"It's two (sets of) All Blacks against each other, so it's a huge battle," he said.

"We're both competitive teams. Often in the heat of the moment a few words might be added, hopefully with a smile."

The Brumbies, seeking their first Super Rugby title since 2004, head to Auckland hoping to erase the memory of their heartbreaking loss to the