The Highlanders beat the Crusaders 25-17 in Dunedin on Saturday to move to the top of the New Zealand conference standings. JON CARDINELLI reports.
This contest did not want for physicality. The battle at the collisions and breakdowns was gladiatorial, and both sets of players endeavoured to play the game at a lively pace.
The Crusaders made an early statement when George Bridge took a well-timed inside pass and broke the line to score. The Highlanders hit back, though, scoring through Liam Coltman and Lima Sopoaga in a short space of time.
The visitors had most of the possession in the first half. They managed to breach the Highlanders defence and create several scoring opportunities. Poor handling by the Crusaders at crucial moments, as well as some desperate scrambling by the Highlanders, ensured that the hosts went to the break with a 14-10 lead.
The Crusaders had another chance to take control when Waisake Naholo was sent to the sin bin in the 42nd minute. The Highlanders wing threw his arm out after being beaten on the inside, and caught the ball-carrier in the face.
But it was the Highlanders who struck next. The Crusaders failed to control a loose ball deep in their own territory. The Highlanders managed to breach the line, and score through reserve flanker Elliot Dixon. Suddenly the hosts had a nine-point lead.
The Crusaders responded in the 55th minute with a score of their own. Replacement scrumhalf Bryn Hall rounded off the movement and the conversion by Mitchell Hunt reduced the deficit to two points.
The Highlanders were the more physical and accurate of the two teams in the final quarter. A surge into Crusaders territory culminated in a penalty goal in the 66th minute.
The Highlanders forwards started to gather some momentum and earned another three-pointer for the side thereafter. With 10 minutes to play, the hosts were out to an eight-point lead and in sight of a big win against the 2017 champions.
The defence did enough to deny the Crusaders further points, and ultimately a bonus point for losing by seven or less. The result sees the Highlanders maintaining their unbeaten record in 2018 and moving to the top of the New Zealand conference log.
Highlanders – Tries: Liam Coltman, Lima Sopoaga, Elliot Dixon. Conversions: Sopoaga (2). Penalties: Sopoaga (2).
Crusaders – Tries: George Bridge, Bryn Hall. Conversions: Mitchell Hunt (2). Penalty: Hunt.
Highlanders – 15 Ben Smith (c), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Tei Walden, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Aki Seiuli.
Subs: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Kalolo Tuiloma, 19 Shannon Frizell, 20 Elliot Dixon, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Matt Faddes.
Crusaders – 15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 George Bridge, 10 Mitchell Hunt, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Subs: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Chris King, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Billy Harmon, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Mike Delany, 23 Manasa Mataele.
Photo: Dianne Manson/Getty Images
