The Crusaders kicked off their 2026 pre‑season in the best possible way, running out in front of a sold‑out crowd of 4,500 at Fraser Park in Timaru.  

The excitement started long before kick‑off, with a full supporters’ train rolling down from Christchurch and setting the tone for the day.  

Before play began, the entire stadium paused for a moment of silence to honour the victims of the Mt Maunganui landslide last week.  

It was a moment that reminded us that rugby can bring people together when they need it most. 

When the Highlanders kicked off, the Crusaders settled quickly.  

A clean early lineout gave them the platform they needed, and Manumaua Letiu tucked in behind a strong maul to crash over for the first try of the afternoon.  

Taha Kemara converted to make it 7–0, and the team barely slowed down from there. 

Chay Fihaki then sparked the biggest cheer of the first quarter, beating four defenders on a brilliant surge upfield. Although he was dragged down, the Crusaders stayed composed, moved the ball wide, and Toby Bell sliced through the gap he spotted. 

Kemara added the extras again, giving the Crusaders a confident 14–0 lead at the end of a dominant opening spell. 

The momentum kept building across the second quarter. The front row threw themselves into everything, laying the platform for captain Ethan Blackadder to take control.  

He sold a big dummy, charged downfield and, after the forwards battered away at the line, he muscled his way over. 

Kemara stayed perfect from the tee to stretch the margin to 21–0.  

Soon after, another lineout in Highlander's territory created a moment of déjà vu as Letiu latched onto the back of another rolling maul to score his second try in almost identical fashion.  

Kemara added the conversion once more, looking calm and polished in his return after nine months out due to an ACL injury. 

The Highlanders found a lift just before halftime, stringing together phases and eventually sending Caleb Tangitau over on the right wing.  

The Crusaders went into the break with a commanding 28–5 lead. 

The second half began with a completely new Crusaders fifteen, giving young players their first chance to feel the pace and weight of Super Rugby.  

Maloni Kunawave made an immediate impact with a clean break, and Louie Chapman followed it with a smart kick ahead that pushed the Crusaders deep into Highlander's territory.  

They couldn’t quite convert that moment, but their patience soon paid off. After several close‑range phases, lock Xavier Treacy powered through two defenders to score a try he won't forget in a hurry. 

He ran strong, trusted his instincts, and showed exactly why the coaches rate him highly. Rivez Reihana’s kick drifted wide, but the Crusaders still held a strong 33–5 advantage. 

The Highlanders kept chasing opportunities, and while a loose Crusaders pass almost gifted Jonah Lowe a runaway try, the offload didn’t stick.  

They kept coming, though, and after Jack Taylor took one big carry to the line, another turnover finally opened the door. Lowe pounced on it cleanly and linked with Tangitau, who crossed for his second try of the match.  

The conversion missed, leaving the score at 33–10 with two minutes to play in the third quarter. 

The Crusaders rallied again late in the period, building attacking pressure and testing the Highlanders defence, but the visitors held firm and shut down a promising surge right before the whistle. 

The final quarter delivered a few momentum swings but no change to the scoreboard. 

Dallas McLeod was forced from the field with an injury, which was the only real blemish in an otherwise positive afternoon.  

The Crusaders stayed connected and defended strongly as the final whistle confirmed a 33–10 win to open their 2026 campaign. 

After the match, captain Ethan Blackadder summed things up simply.  

“One sunny day doesn’t make summer, but I’m stoked for the boys,” he says.  

Head Coach Rob Penney echoed that feeling, pleased with both the intent and the depth on display.  

“That was a lovely hit out, I thought we started really well. The guys proved their worth and got a good run around which was great to see,” he says. 

Pre-season one complete. The team head north to Auckland next week to face the Blues in their second pre-season hit out, before the full season begins on February 13 in Dunedin against the Highlanders.