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Crusaders vs Highlanders: Super Rugby live scores, blog

12th April, 2019
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Crusaders

43

Match Complete

Highlanders

17

82
CRU43 : 17HIG

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12th April, 2019
117
1755 Reads

Crusaders

43

Match Complete

Highlanders

17

M. Hunt76
W. Jordan75
73B. Gatland
73J. Ioane
R. Mo'unga69
M. Drummond68
S. Reece56
51
R. Mo'unga47
R. Mo'unga42
D. Havili41
R. Mo'unga27
B. Ennor25
11J. Ioane
3J. Ioane
2B. Smith

6
Tries
2
4
Conversions
2
1
Penalty Goals
1
0
Field Goals
0

Show Preview

The Crusaders will welcome their southern island rivals the Highlanders to AMI Stadium on Friday evening as Round 9 of Super Rugby kicks off. There are many changes for both sides but still plenty of talent and intrigue in this genuine, traditional rivalry. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of this exciting clash starting from 5:35pm AEDT.

SANZAAR has been trying to create more derbies and rivalries in the competition in the hope that it will encourage attendance figures and fan engagement. In the Crusaders vs Highlanders clash they have a true rivalry that has seen some fantastic clashes over the years.

The Highlanders go into this week’s match at almost a make or break point in their season. They’ve had an uncharacteristically sloppy start to the season with just two wins (which came very early on) and a defensive record that is surprisingly poor.

Their tackle success rate of just 82 per cent is the second worst of the entire competition and is not what you expect from the hard men of Dunedin.

On the positive side, if there is one, they have been so close to winning on a number of occasions and have not lost by more than seven points this year. So can they turn those near misses around against the Crusaders?

Well to be honest it’s not looking good – the Highlanders are missing some of the best through injury with Liam Squire, Aaron Smith, Richard Buckman, Luke Whitelock and Marty Banks all unavailable.

There’s going to be a lot of pressure on the other talent in the side including the likes of Shannon Frizell who has been impressive this season.

It’s Ben Smith’s 150th cap for the Highlanders and he’s going to need to be at his very, very best to help steer an inexperienced back line.

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The Crusaders are also missing a few frontline players but certainly don’t seem as affected by injury as their rivals.

Codie Taylor and Owen Franks are both out but the rest of the team is looking full of quality.

Crucially the skipper, Sam Whitelock, is back and the Crusaders will know that forward dominance will allow Bryn Hall and Richie Mo’unga to unleash their devastating backs.

Prediction
In a week that has sadly become dominated by off-field news, this game will be a welcome reminder of what rugby is all about.

The Highlanders feel like a side that is so close to clicking but against one of the best sides in the world of rugby right now, they just aren’t going to get the chance.

Crusaders to win by 12 points.

Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:35pm AEDT on Friday.

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Where: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Date: Friday 12th April 2019
When: 5:35pm AEDT
TV: Foxsports
Betting: Crusaders $1.13, Highlanders $5.80

Crusaders
1 Joe Moody
2 Andrew Makalio
3. Michael Alaalatoa
4. Scott Barrett
5. Sam Whitelock (C)
6. Whetukamokamo Douglas
7. Matt Todd (VC)
8. Kieran Read
9. Bryn Hall
10. Richie Mo’unga
11. Sevu Reece
12. Ryan Crotty (VC)
13. Jack Goodhue
14. Braydon Ennor
15. David Havili

Replacements
16. Ben Funnell
17. Harry Allan
18. Oliver Jager
19. Quinten Strange
20. Jordan Taufua
21. Mitchell Drummond
22. Mitchell Hunt
23. Will Jordan

Highlanders
1. Daniel Lienert-Brown
2. Liam Coltman
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. Pari Pari Parkinson
5. Tom Franklin
6. Shannon Frizell
7. James Lentjes
8. Elliot Dixon
9. Kayne Hammington
10. Josh Ioane
11. Tevita Li
12. Teihorangi Walden
13. Rob Thompson
14. Matt Faddes
15. Ben Smith (C)

Replacements
16. Ash Dixon
17. Ayden Johnstone
18. Siate Tokolahi
19. Josh Dickson
20. Jackson Hemopo
21. Folau Fakatava
22. Bryn Gatland
23. Patelesio Tomkinson

Referees
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Angus Gardner
TMO: Glenn Newman

2019 Form
Crusaders – WWWWD
Highlanders – WWLLD

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Played 35
Crusaders won 23
Highlanders won 11
Drawn 1

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