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Crusaders
38
Match Complete
Highlanders
14
| R. Mo'unga |  | 70 | ||
| R. Mo'unga |  | 68 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 56 | ||
| M. Alaalatoa | | 54 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 48 | ||
| W. Douglas | | 47 | ||
| 36 | | J. Ioane | ||
| 35 | | T. Walden | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 28 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 27 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 22 | ||
| D. Havili | | 21 | ||
| 17 | | J. Ioane | ||
| 16 | | S. Tomkinson | ||
| R. Mo'unga |  | 2 |
| 5 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 5 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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The Highlanders’ thumping win last week rocketed them into a finals spot, so now they play the Crusaders. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 5:35pm AEST.
The men from Otago were heavy outsiders to make the playoffs, but did so with a bonus point victory on Friday. But a refreshed Canterbury side will be a very different beast to an understrength Waratahs team.
We always knew the Crusaders would be here come playoffs time, and they are. Before their bye last weekend, they obliterated the Rebels, 66-0.
The scheduled meeting between the two teams this year was cancelled in the wake of the Christchurch massacre. But prior to that, Scott Robertson’s men won four of the five most recent games against the southerners.
In team news, Codie Taylor and Owen Franks have passed their fitness test and will join Joe Moody in an All Black front row.
Tim Perry shapes as an able replacement, as he’s named on the pine after a broken arm kept him out of the game.
The Highlanders also have a boost with Ben Smith coming back from a hamstring injury which forced him to miss six weeks. He takes over from Josh McKay at fullback.
Daniel Lienert-Brown, brother of Anton, starts at loosehead for the visitors, and Patelosio Tomkinson replaces Tevita Li on the left wing.
Prediction
It’s hard to tip against the ladder leaders, but the return of Ben Smith is a big deal. If the visitors play like last week, they should get it done.
Highlanders by 6.
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Time: 5:35pm AEST
Referee: Jacob Peyper
Odds: Crusaders $1.14, Highlanders $5.75
Crusaders
David Havili, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Sam Whitelock (c), Scott Barrett, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody
Reserves
Andrew Makalio, Tim Perry, Michael Alaalatoa, Luke Romano, Jordan Taufua, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Braydon Ennor
Highlanders
Ben Smith (co-c), Waisake Naholo, Rob Thompson, Teihorangi Walden, Patelesio Tomkinson, Josh Ioane, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock (co-c), James Lentjes, Liam Squire, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Tyrel Lomax, Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown
Reserves
Ash Dixon, Ayden Johnstone, Siate Tokolahi, Josh Dickson, Shannon Frizell, Elliot Dixon, Kayne Hammington, Marty Banks
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Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.