The good southern derby performed out in entrance of the raucous Zoo at Forsyth Barr Stadium, however these enthused Dunedin followers went residence disillusioned after a Crusaders rout.
The Highlanders received their recreation going within the second interval, however solely when the sport was past attain. The Crusaders had the ultimate say and notched 40 factors to stay in rivalry for the primary seed.
The Highlanders made it clear early that they have been prepared to make use of Cam Millar’s boot to cope with the Crusaders’ line pace, whereas the Crusaders seemed to flex their muscular tissues at scrum time.
After making a linebreak, Taha Kemara was helped from the sector in clear discomfort. Mitch Dunshea was bandaged up within the opening minutes and left the motion momentarily, with Fabian Holland and Xavier Saifoloi additionally submitted to the damage ward.
Rivez Reihana’s early introduction into the sport bore fruit inside minutes because the reserve playmaker drew a tackler to unlock Will Jordan, who glided via the hole to attain.
A half break by Xavier Saifoloi received the Crusaders on the entrance foot once more quickly after, and fast palms gave Macca Springer sufficient area to outpace Timoci Tavatavanawai and discover Jordan on the within, who claimed his second of the evening.
A Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens break received his aspect into scoring territory, and below strain, Codie Taylor made an unlawful sort out whereas nonetheless connected to the prior breakdown and was handed a yellow card.
Even when all the way down to 14 males, the pink wall held robust and received the ball again instantly following the dropout.
Taylor made up for his indiscretion instantly after re-entering the competition, scoring a strive after Christian Lio-Willie received the Crusaders simply shy of the road.
The pace of play was actually extraordinary as halftime neared, however even with constant lightning-quick ball, the Highlanders couldn’t get their reward on the scoreboard.
The Crusaders dedicated consecutive penalties, serving to a remaining Highlanders onslaught lengthen the half, just for Codie Taylor to win a breakdown penalty. Halftime rating: 21-0.
A Folau Fakatava snipe had the Highlanders knocking on the Crusaders’ door as soon as extra, however once more the Crusaders repelled every effort and held their hosts up over the road.
Whereas sustaining their higher hand on the set piece, the Crusaders opted to go for the posts with their subsequent penalty inside vary, extending their result in 24 factors.
One other 15 phases contained in the Crusaders’ 22 yielded no factors for the hosts, however a strong run by Thomas Umaga-Jensen drew the defence and allowed Jonah Lowe to attain within the nook.
Sadly for the Highlanders, it took simply two minutes for the Crusaders to hit again. Will Jordan collected the contestable kick, and Corey Kellow confirmed his class with a diving end after a silky inside ball from Ioane Moananu.
A miraculous clearance kick from Kyle Preston bounced into the 22 and earned his aspect a lineout in attacking territory, and Chay Fihaki made brief work of the Highlanders’ defence to attain simply beside the posts.
With time working out, the Highlanders have been fast to get again within the factors column after powerful carries noticed them roll into Crusaders’ territory. A large ball to Veveni Lasaqa gave the rookie his second strive of the season.
Frantic remaining minutes noticed play swing from objective line to objective line, and after a Moananu break, Taylor scored to finish the sport on a excessive for the Crusaders. Remaining rating: 43-10.
