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Crusaders vs Highlanders: Super Rugby live scores, blog

6th July, 2018
Where: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
When: 5:35pm (AEST)
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Betting: Crusaders $1.28, Highlanders $3.75

Crusaders
15 David Havili
14 Seta Tamanivalu
13 Jack Goodhue
12 Ryan Crotty
11 George Bridge
10 Richie Mo'unga
9 Bryn Hall
8 Kieran Read
7 Matt Todd
6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis
5 Sam Whitelock (c)
4 Scott Barrett
3 Owen Franks
2 Andrew Makalio
1 Joe Moody

16 Codie Taylor
17 Wyatt Crockett
18 Michael Alaalatoa
19 Quinten Strange
20 Jordan Taufua
21 Mitchell Drummond
22 Mitchell Hunt
23 Manasa Mataele

Highlanders
15 Ben Smith (cc)
14 Waisake Naholo
13 Rob Thompson
12 Teihorangi Walden
11 Richard Buckman
10 Lima Sopoaga
9 Aaron Smith
8 Luke Whitelock
7 James Lentjes
6 Liam Squire/Elliot Dixon
5 Tom Franklin
4 Jackson Hemopo
3 Siate Tokolahi
2 Liam Coltman
1 Daniel Lienert-Brown

16 Ash Dixon (cc)
17 Aki Seiuli
18 Tyrel Lomax
19 Pari Pari Parkinson
20 Shannon Frizell
21 Kayne Hammington
22 Josh Ioane
23 Fletcher Smith
The Crusaders take on the Lions in the Super Rugby final. (Photo by Martin Hunter/Getty Images)
Expert
6th July, 2018
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The Crusaders go head-to-head with the Highlanders in Christchurch as both sides look to build momentum into the finals. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 5:35pm (AEST).

The Crusaders have secured their spot in the finals and the Highlanders are pretty much guaranteed to play rugby into late July as well.

But the sub stories should not be ignored – this game matters!

Kieran Read will likely take the field for kick off and get his first minutes of competitive rugby in 2018. He says that his back is feeling fine and the real issue is his match fitness and sharpness, so there’s a chance we’ll only get to see 40 to 50 minutes of him.

It’s also a big game for the old warhorse Wyatt Crockett – the Crusaders legend will rack up his 200th Super Rugby game. Love him or hate him, to have 200 not out against your name in the professional era is impressive.

The Crusaders might have talent across the park and be leading the overall competition but the international break and the bye last week means now is the time to get back up to speed and charge into the finals in peak form.

The Highlanders are one of only two teams to beat the Crusaders this year and they definitely have the talent to be a threat. Ben Smith needs to fire and the 9-10 combo of Aaron Smith and Lima Sopoaga must be at its best.

The Highlanders are in sixth position on the overall ladder and with a home game against the Rebels in the final round they are a good bet for the finals. However, the flying Jaguares are just behind them and so a win today for the men from Dunedin will take the pressure off that final game.

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Prediction
The Crusaders will have to play well to win, but with so much to inspire them, as well as their usual professionalism, they should secure victory.

Crusaders by 12 points.

Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 5:25pm (AEST).

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