Match Reports

Returning home from South Africa on the back of an emphatic win over the Sharks, the Crusaders’ back and forth season has continued as they were unable to hold out their southern rivals, the Highlanders, and give Owen Franks the perfect celebration for his 100^th game.

The Crusaders attack looked good early, a narrow forward pass call by referee Jackson costly for the home side, as Jordan Taufua found himself in space with three others outside him.

Sam Whitelock’s attempt at stealing the ball was deemed illegal, and Highlanders pivot Lima Sopoaga took full advantage, giving the visitors an early 3-0 lead.

No more than a minute later though, the Crusaders struck right back. Colin Slade showed that if you’re going to rush out of the defensive line, then you have to make the tackle, as he broke clean through and linked up with Nemani Nadolo who in turn showed some of his own razzle dazzle with an offload in contact to Matt Todd who found himself over for the Crusaders’ first try of the night.

Israel Dagg was given the kicking duties after Slade copped a heavy tackle, and it was like Dagg had been kicking all season as he easily slotted it through the sticks from the sideline.

This was always going to be a grudge match, and the opening nine minutes proved that, as first-five eighth Lima Sopoaga was sin binned for a shoulder charge on Colin Slade.

No more than a minute later, a nasty head clash left Highlanders prop Josh Hohneck in serious trouble with a neck injury, and he had to leave the field in an unfortunate blow for the Highlanders. He would eventually return after passing a concussion test.

With Sopoaga in the bin, another unfamiliar face was given the goal kicking duties as Aaron Smith lined up a penalty for the Highlanders. It’ll be one to forget though, as Smith turned his kicking stats into 0/3 for the season.

Offloads were happening at will, as both teams showed off their full array of skills, but there was little continuity as turnovers started to creep in for both sides.

Captain Kieran Read turned down a certain three points, to instead make a statement of intent by opting for the scrum. The risk worked a treat, as Nadolo came within inches of crashing over the line before Jordan Taufua was on the spot to pick and go for the Crusaders’ second try. Slade took the kicking tee back off Israel Dagg, and gave the Crusaders a 14-3 lead after 21 minutes.

Jimmy Tupou found himself offside after Israel Dagg dropped a high ball, giving Sopoaga the chance to add another 3 for the Highlanders, which he did successfully.

A Lima Sopoaga break saw him link up with Ben Smith who, out of nowhere, found himself in acres of space to put the Highlanders captain away for their first try right on halftime, and put them right back in the match. The Crusaders would hold the lead at halftime however, going into the break 14-13.

It didn’t take long for the Highlanders to strike again. An attempted pop pass from Kieron Fonotia resulted in an intercept by Highlanders winger Waisake Naholo, and he couldn’t be stopped. On the back of limited opportunities, the Highlanders found themselves in front 18-14.

Malakai Fekitoa came within inches of scoring, however it was ruled a double movement. It didn’t take the Highlanders long to cross again though, an Aaron Smith bullet pass had winger Waisake Naholo over in the corner for his second of the night. Sopoaga was equal to the task with the conversion, giving the Highlanders a 25-14 lead.

Highlanders hands in the ruck gave Colin Slade the chance to claw back the southerners advantage, a task he was again equal to, bringing the Highlanders’ lead back to eight, the score now 25-17.

One more penalty to Colin Slade brought the Crusaders back to within five, but that’s the way it would stay as the Highlanders edged out the Crusaders 25-20 in a thoroughly entertaining game which epitomised running rugby.

The Crusaders had their chances to go ahead in this game, but execution would again let them down. They will rue this game as one that narrowly got away from them when it probably shouldn’t have.

They can’t dwell on this one too much however, as things aren’t about to get any easier with the Chiefs coming to town next Friday night. A game the Crusaders will be very eager to win to ensure this season doesn’t get away from them.