Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder was most impressed with the Blues’ first-round Super Rugby win against the more favoured Hurricanes and expects his team to face more of the same in Auckland on Friday night.

The Crusaders had a bye last weekend and the seven-time champions will start their campaign for the third successive year against the Blues at Eden Park, with the score at 1-1.

Blackadder says the Blues definitely showed against the Hurricanes they were a team playing for each other.

“They have a lot of firepower and you can see their passion,” he said on Wednesday.

“Their support play was outstanding, but we know what we have to do.

“We’re confident of putting our best foot forward and I know the effort will be huge from both sides.”

Blackadder believed the new Blues coaching staff, headed by Sir John Kirwan and with former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry on board, had done a fine job in getting last year’s easybeats off to a winning start.

The Crusaders have named their strongest available side.

However, the absence of specialist wingers Zac Guildford and Johnny McNicholl has led to All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg going to the left wing, with the versatile Tom Taylor at fullback.

“We think this gives us our best option but we see it as a short-term fix and hopefully it fills a gap for a week or two until the cavalry arrives,” Blackadder said.

The Crusaders pack includes seven All Blacks, with openside flanker Matt Todd the exception.

Six of the last seven matches between the two teams since 2008 have gone to the Crusaders, who embarrassed the Blues with a record 59-12 win in Christchurch last year.

Crusaders: Tom Taylor, Adam Whitelock, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (capt), Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Joe Moody, Dominic Bird, Luke Whitelock, Willi Heinz, Tyler Bleyendaal, Tom Marshall.