Crusaders vs Highlanders

The Crusaders have survived a late red card and a scoreless second half to keep the Highlanders winless in Super Rugby Pacific.

The result took the Crusaders to five wins from six matches, while the Highlanders had also played six but were yet to register a victory. The Highlanders bagged two tries, including the first of the match to hooker Andrew Makalio and another to midfielder Scott Gregory, but both times the Crusaders responded. But the Crusaders managed to close it out in the final moments, meaning a strong defensive effort was eventually rewarded.

The winless Highlanders supplied plenty of pressure but the Crusaders hung on to win their Super Rugby Pacific match 17-14 in Christchurch.

The Highlanders twice were in front and on both occasions the Crusaders were able to reply. "I was really proud of our effort," Highlanders captain Aaron Smith said. "The conditions forced both teams into playing that pressure game and it was a real see-saw right to the final whistle."

The Crusaders played host to the Highlanders on Friday night and were looking to avoid the ignominy of suffering two straight defeats at home.

Off in 52nd minute. Off in 62nd minute. Knocked the ball on at the base of the ruck when the Crusaders were hot on attack inside the 22. Off in 67th minute. A solid cameo off the bench for the debutant lock, taking three lineouts. His biggest contribution was securing two important breakdown penalties in the final quarter to shut down two Highlanders skirmishes. Couldn’t do anything to stop Andrew Makalio rampaging to the line early in the match. Used to regularly hit the ball up in the midfield, as has become custom, despite the presence of a bigger, stronger body outside him. In a game like this, probably needed to assert himself more as the Crusaders’ key shot-caller. Played his part when the forwards got rumbling in the first half. Yet to find his form in 2022. Penalised once for not releasing in the tackle.

It was a fast start for the winless Highlanders, who opened the scoring through hooker Andrew Makalio. A well-worked move from a close-range lineout, the ball ...

Neither team were able to do anything positive with possession for the majority of the second half. There was plenty to play for in the second half, but the 40 minutes that followed were strange. The Crusaders hit back within five minutes in a strange sequence.

Both teams scored two tries in a first half of tit-for-tat scoring and a penalty by All Blacks flyhalf Richie Mo'unga in the 26th minute proved unexpectedly ...

The forwards go to work for the Crusaders, with Hall organising men to his left on the short side. One out stuff from the home side here, 20 seconds remaining.

Neither team were able to do anything positive with possession for the majority of the second half. There was plenty to play for in the second half, but the 40 minutes that followed were strange. The Crusaders hit back within five minutes in a strange sequence.

The Crusaders respect the Highlanders' danger before of Friday's DHL Super Rugby clash in Christchurch because of the South Island rivalry and last year's ...

Veterans Bryn Evans and Josh Hohneck also start, with Jermaine Ainsley and Manaaki Selby-Rickit providing impact off the bench, featuring All Blacks prop Ethan de Groot. The Highlanders have restocked their pack and bolstered their bench in preparation for the South Island rivalry. Sam Whitelock (broken finger) will be out for at least four weeks, hooker Brodie McAlister (calf) will be out for four to six weeks, and lock Mitchell Dunshea (knee) will be out for the season.