Despite epic Highlanders loss, the Crusaders aren't finished

Well, what an absolute humdinger that was.

The Highlanders dragged themselves off the ropes midway through the first half to land five knock-out blows to send the Crusdaers to the canvas and their packed house of fans into delirium.

This utterly pulsating thing of a game lived up to its heavyweight billing and then some.

A South Island derby always has plenty on it but throw in reigning champs versus the comp leaders played out amid the frenzied din of a sold-out indoor stadium on a Friday in student town and you have an epic.

The setup and the match-ups were alone enough to get the saliva flowing. But the action left it all in its wake.

Both teams went berserk from the outset and just never let up.

I’ve ever seen a team as dominant in the first quarter as the Crusaders were, to then have the screws turned so utterly against them.

The opening 22 minutes were all red and black as the visitors executed their gameplan to perfection.

To combat the Highlanders’ rush defence, the Crusaders turned ball after ball back to the inside channel where ringmaster Richie Mo’unga had a field day putting big boppers through small holes to dominate possession and position.

The Crusaders were actually over twice in the opening minutes but both tries were disallowed.

It was quarter time before the southern men made their first sortie into the Crusaders’ 22 and won a penalty. Instead of steadying the ship – not the Highlanders’ bag – the uncanny Aaron Smith quick tapped and a couple of phases later try machine Waisake Naholo was over in the corner, having latched on to a brilliant kick pass from Lima Sopoaga.

A brace of brilliant tries either side of the break by the most influential back on the park, Highlanders centre Matt Faddes, and a second to Naholo sealed the Crusaders’ fate.

It was fascinating to watch the contrasting styles of attack. While the Crusaders were preoccupied with the inside ball, their opposites couldn’t get it wide quick enough – and why wouldn’t you with Fijian Flyers to feed?

They regularly employed wraps to create the overlap to the extent that I could swear there were four Smiths out there, not just Aaron and Ben.

Aaron’s second touch ball for Faddes’ first try was a particular highlight.

And just how bloody good was Faddes? Is it the receding hairline or the socks around the ankles that make him look like the team bus driver that’s been given the call-up?

But his appearance is as deceiving as his footwork and the out and out pace that gassed him to a double. His performance was such that it shaded his inside, All Black Malakai Fekitoa, into virtual anonymity.

Could he be an All Blacks bolter for the Welsh series? Surely that performance piqued the interest of Steve Hansen and co?

As would have Highlanders blindside Elliot Dixon who put in another mammoth shift, particularly in defence, and likewise his No.8 mate Luke Whitelock – who played the game of his life

These two epitomised the suffocating, huge-hearted defensive effort across the board from their team.

Whatever it is that coaches Jamie Joseph, Tony Brown and co instil in their troops would make them a fortune if they could bottle it.

Sure they’ve got great systems in defence, but most teams have those. What sets this mob apart is the sheer size of their tickers. There are none bigger.

And when you put that with their blistering attack and willingness to have a crack from anywhere it’s a compelling, championship-winning proposition.

After a few early season stumbles, most recently to the Sharks three weeks ago, the Highlanders have won on the trot against high flyers the Brumbies, Chiefs and Crusaders to make them big contenders to go back to back.

Meanwhile, it’s back to the drawing board for Todd Blackadder’s men, whose eight-match winning streak was so brutally snapped.

I had a perception before this season that the Crusaders wouldn’t win a title, couldn’t win a title, with Blackadder at the helm.

That’s nothing against Blackadder, whose a wonderful bloke and something of a talismanic figure in Crusader country from his heroics as a player. No doubt he’s a very good coach operating in a renowned infrastructure. It’s just the sheer weight of evidence.

Having won a remarkable seven titles in the first 12 years of Super Rugby, the men from the upper south are yet to win one since Blackadder took over eight years ago. I just assumed he didn’t have the keys as a coach to unlock the sort of success he enjoyed as a player.

Then they got back to their bullying best to string win after win to make me think I was wrong. Now last night’s result.

It’s Blackadder’s last year in charge so his troops will leave nothing in the tank to win him that elusive crown, but they have a tough road home from here.

But coming from that part of the world I still hope my perception is wrong.