Crusaders vs Highlanders highlights: Super Rugby live scores, blog

Appalling decision making by the Highlanders with their drop out. Beggars belief that a team can be so stupid. The fans and commentators got too tied up in the moment to fully understand what was happening.

RT, as a Cantab, you are right. While it is tough on the Highlanders, I cant think how its not fair if any team had gone through the phases and kicked a drop goal like that at the death would have been unfair winners. It would be like saying Naholo's tries were lucky when really they were and were not, just like the Crusaders drop goal. Crusaders had been throwing those long balls all game, Highlanders recognised this and were putting themselves in position to benefit, so well played Highlanders. Similarly Crusaders were trying to get the penalty in the first instance, held on to the ball, realised it wasnt happening went to plan B and nailed a high pressure drop kick. Lucky yes (but there is a lot of luck in any game of rugby), unfair no.

Sorry Diggs even if you drew level under that scenario Crusaders would still finish ahead as they would have one more win. Crusaders have now won the NZ conference, overall top spot still up for grabs. And lets face it an away match against the Hurricanes after whatever the result will be a tough Lions series, means that anything can happen, but you would have to favor the Hurricanes for that last match.

Agree. Its certainly not the Lions fault, but the fault of the administrators. There should have been 3 conferences of 6 when they change to 18 teams. Its partly SARU's fault pushing for 2 semi finals in SA that has led to this imbalance. If we had 3 conferences there would be a chance for a home semi for the best 2nd place team something worth fighting for all teams and you would of had games against all conferences. This 4 conferences mish mash is just a mess. I would much rather have all 18 teams in this sort of format, and then we wouldnt lose any teams. With Jags in NZ pool and Sunwolves in the Australian pool, or vice versa.

There wont be any freebies. Too much at stake for hurricanes. With Crusader topping NZ conference then winning the battle for 5th spot and a trip to the Brumbies will be preferred to SA. Ironically due to the vagaries of the draw. You could easily get a situation where Sharks finish 7th (beating Lions in the last game) and Highlanders 8th. Which could see a Crusaders Highlanders quarter and a Lions Sharks quarter. Both away teams would fancy there chances, and know that it will put them better placed in the tournament if they can win then travelling to SA or NZ would. Both #1 and #2 qualifiers would probably least prefer those match ups as well.

Sunwolves???? Danny don't be a chop. The Lions play the Sunwolves once, as do ALL the Kiwi teams. And they haven't even played them yet. They play the Aussie teams once, as do all the Kiwi teams. Then the Sharks, Kings & Jaguars are all fairly strong, it's much stronger conference (better teams) than the other Africa conference. And last year the Lions finished 2nd having played ALL 5 NZ teams, the only reason they didn't finish 1st was because they threw the last game against the Jags in Argentina with a B team to be fresh for the playoffs. It looks as though that tactic is going to come back and bite them again this year; and finish 2nd again, as they threw the very first game of the season against the Jags with a B team but wonevery game since then. Not to mention last year the Sharks won 2, lost the other 3 incredibly close contests against NZ teams in the regular season. They thrashed the eventual winners the Canes in Durban (but caught a hiding in the QF). The Lions ended up beating 4 from 5 NZ teams last year. This year the NZ teams are lucky not to face the Lions and Sharks again, and rather played the other Conference as we just don't know how these teams would've gone against each other at home or away. And there's no use throwing out ridiculous sucking it out of your thumb comments because we just don't know. From both sides it's annoying and unfair that they don't play each other. Whoever finishes 1 and 2 well deserve it. Saders are playing unbelievable rugby this year, and the Lions aren't too shabby either, although I do think the Sharks will beat the Lions in Durban. Sharks won't beat the Crusaders though, but I'd rate their chances against any of the other 4 NZ teams (especially in SA, in NZ is much tougher), and last years results prove I'm not wrong. But you just don't know mate!!!

Great game today at the Showgrounds......onya both teams......nice ending M Hunt......

And this game just shows how total and completely incompetent the entire Blues organisation is The lot of them need to be sacked - from the CEO through to the Board and the ALL the coaches and most of the moronic idiotic lazy only interested in playing like its touch players

Thanks, Chook. Geez, your Tahs are playing much better but just conceding too many points.

Cheers guys. Hard luck, Highlander. Just love these guys' spirit. They just don't want to give up. That drop goal still has me in a suspension of disbelief.

Chook! The Lions when touring New Zealand are pretty much the epitome of rugby Tourists from a Kiwi point of view, they love them and always have, of all the touring sides that may visit New Zealand they are the side the Kiwis yearn to see! All touring sides are treated like Kings but the Lions are just that much more special and the rugby public and fans in general absolutely adore them and I know this from experience that this team will be no different. The Lions are great Ambassadors also and get right out of their comfort zone whilst on tour, visiting various institutions, and I daresay as usual they'll make a lot of friends, they always have. Having seen my first Lions game in 1950 I have seen every team excepting the last Tour and sadly I'll miss this one, but at least it can be seen on Fox! Just watching the Chiefs and Waratahs game mate and it doesn't look good at 46 minutes played for the Tahs. ~ and how was the first game? the Crusaders and the Chiefs, man what a game, power rugby at it's best! Cheers mate!

I meant the Lions had 1 more game after their next game with the Sunwolves (which will almost certainly be a BP win)

Awwe McCHoocks? Thanks. Doing the secret sader supporter thanks giving dance.. I shall be donning an auzy accent in 9 mins or ao and be spurring on your tahs for the first auz win over a kiwi side?

So, how long until this bloke takes up Wayne Smith's spot as AB assistant coach?

Ghehehhe thx RT. And congrats on your Blues win yeaterday. Shiver me timbers that last 20mins was insanity..hand in hair moments.them landers fought like bloody trojans.

I don't envy any team that has to play them at Joburg, but it is impossible to tell. Perhaps the Lions are capable of beating the Crusaders in Christchurch, perhaps every single NZ team would beat them in Joburg? I guess it makes the finals mysterious and exciting at least :P

Jusy you absolutely right this crusader team is a monster team they always hungry to score

Cheers Rugby Tragic. Back to if the game was drawn, the Lions had 1 more game in Durban against the Sharks. Not a easy venue to get a BP win, and if the Lions and Cusaders won the last game win no BP, then the Draw would of settled the tie breaker to the Saders favor. Mind you, I would of backed the Lions to secure a last round BP win over the Crusaders, but I think a more likely result would be a win without BP for both teams.

'In any other ungerrymandered comp they’d be 15 points lower.' It's nice that you can be so certain on hypothetical scenarios. 'The Lions would beat every single New Zealand team home and away by a bonus point' Look, I can make unsubstantiated, meaningless statements as well. For all we know the Lions are better than any of the Kiwi teams? I personally don't think they will be, but you can only beat the teams that you play, and the Lions have been doing that. I think that they, more than anyone, will be annoyed about not being able to practice against any NZ teams until the final.