Crusaders
43
Match Complete
Highlanders
17
| M. Hunt |  | 76 | ||
| W. Jordan |  | 75 | ||
| 73 | | B. Gatland | ||
| 73 | | J. Ioane | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 69 | ||
| M. Drummond | | 68 | ||
| S. Reece | | 56 | ||
| 51 | |||
| R. Mo'unga |  | 47 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 42 | ||
| D. Havili | | 41 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 27 | ||
| B. Ennor | | 25 | ||
| 11 | | J. Ioane | ||
| 3 | | J. Ioane | ||
| 2 | | B. Smith |
| 6 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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.
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.
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
Played 35
Crusaders won 23
Highlanders won 11
Drawn 1
Divided Loyalties
Roar Rookie
Razor won titles in Itm cup before taking over the Crusaders for immediate titles and his NZ under20s were world champs. What more could you ask for?
CUW
Roar Rookie
what the hell is wrong with these refs ?? they are not giving cards for head hits anymore they are not even looking at neck rolls anymore they are trying hard to keep 15 on the park till the end - i mean what rubbish was that yellow card at 80 minuted ??? i dont care who wins or loses my issue is that these refs are going to be at the world cup and they are rubbish most of the time. noone can be accurate 100% but these guys in super rugger are making more errors than tight decisions. also it looks as if SH does not folow the player welfare policy - coz some of the neck tackles i saw this week so far and last week , will have been cited in NH.
Julz
Guest
Agreed on Justin Marshall. Always hated his commentary, his voice is just annoying, esp when he makes that orgasming AWWWW sound whenever the ABs score a try. Prefer others over him. But for Robertson, I think the man is having great success as a coach. It doesn't really matter if he coaches a team of good players or nobodies, he took the Crusaders from a top 6 team that struggled over the years to win a championship, to two straight championships to a highly potential threepeat. He also had great success with Canterbury which are mostly nobodies and also won a title with the NZ u20s. I think he'll do the same an All Black coach but not yet. Foster should take over next.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Well he took over Hot Toddy’s team and he did what Blackadder could not do He even did it the hard way playing away at altitude. The Crusaders had a one dimensional game and tried to get the ball to Nadolo. Now they’re just as effective in the backs as they are in the forwards with strike power all over the park and they play with patience to find holes wherever they may be. I don’t see the point of proving yourself with a weak team. That didn’t work out so well for Steve Hansen. Jamie Joseph is proving handy with the highlanders and the wolves but Cheika is a coach who got the best out of a misfiring group and look at him now. No thanks. I’m not pushing for Razor to be the next AB coach. I think we’re in a healthy position though with Gatland, Jamie Joseph and perhaps later Schmidt. But I do think he’s already peoven to be a useful coach and often from a psychological perspective. Teams are bringing their intensity to the first half and the Crusaders are finishing the stronger in the second half. They’re playing a good brand of footy as well when teams have them pegged as the one to beat. He’d find the same type of players with the ABs. I wouldn’t be unhappy to see him in the mix. I’m not sold on Foster.
Old Bugger
Guest
OK, I know folks can see I have a hard-on for JM but gees, all we ask as supporters and followers of this great game from heaven....is a touch of fair-go when its deserved. During the 1st half, all I heard was excuses about how the Saders committed error after error after....... Never, was there any mention of how good, the Landers defence performed. Thx JM even if, your favourite team ran away, with the score. And since I'm having a rant about JM's favourite team - please allow me to carry on. I don't believe that Robbo should be either the next AB coach or even, an assistant coach. This person's coaching career includes U-20 AB coach, Canterbury provincial coach and Saders coach. Guess what - he achieved success as coach of the last 2 provincial coaching positions but, if memory serves me right, he failed as a national coach. IMO, he succeeded when he had players who could take him to that success. He needs to build a team of nobodies and take that team to a journey of success just to prove his coaching credentials.....but guess what.....the WB's, may just get the coach who has done exactly that while our local authority, hums and hahs about the success of a local coach. The emphasis being....a local coach such as the current Crusaders coach.
Oliver Matthews
Expert
FINAL WHISTLE!!! The Crusaders have beaten the Highlanders with a dominant second half that saw them run away with a 43-17 win. The Highlanders were 10-0 up at one point but then the Crusaders pulled themselves back into the game. It took some time and the first 20 minutes was poor from the home side but once they found their rhythm they were unstoppable. In the second half the Highlanders need to repeat the opening 10 minutes but the Crusaders were brutal and just started piling on the points. Questions do have to be asked about the penalty count against the Crusaders - 18 penalties in the game is a bit crazy. At one point in the middle of the second half the ref did say to Sam Whitelock that his team needed to be careful. We all thought that meant there would be a yellow card if the Crusaders infringed again but apparently not. They gave away penalty after penalty but the ref didn't reach for his pocket until after the final hooter had sounded. In the end the Highlanders were valiant but after their fast start they just had no way to keep up with the Crusaders as the home side went up through their gears. The rest of the season is going to be hard for the Highlanders and the Finals might be too far a stretch now. For the Crusaders it's hard to see anyone challenging them. Thanks to you all for getting involved and have a cracking weekend - loads more rugby on The Roar to come! Crusaders: 43 Highlanders: 17 Time: 80:00
Julz
Guest
The Blues will beat the Crusaders ????
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Highlanders mess up their scrum - Crusaders get the ball and Drummond punts it into touch to wrap up the game! Crusaders: 43 Highlanders: 17 Time: 80:00
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Highlanders scrum just 5m out - one final push and score for the men from Dunedin? Crusaders: 43 Highlanders: 17 Time: 80:00
Oliver Matthews
Expert
YELLOW CARD!!! Hahaha - right so now the ref remembers he's got cards in his pocket and in overtime he decides to send a Crusader to the bin! Crusaders: 43 Highlanders: 17 Time: 80:00
Oliver Matthews
Expert
PENALTY!! AND ANOTHER ONE!!!!!! They've had 5 penalties in a matter of minutes and yet the ref just has a friendly chat with Whitelock. That's 10 penalties in the second half alone! Crusaders: 43 Highlanders: 17 Time: 79:00
Lux Interior
Roar Rookie
What can you do? Just too good.
Oliver Matthews
Expert
PENALTY!! Ok this is getting insane - another penalty from the Crusaders and yet no yellow. Crusaders: 43 Highlanders: 17 Time: 78:55
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Final couple of minutes and the Highlanders have a scrum in the middle of the field and about 30m out. They've for another advantage too! Crusaders: 43 Highlanders: 17 Time: 78:10
James GC
Roar Rookie
Man the crusaders are ruthless in the second half of games.
Highlander
Guest
Found a weakness in the Crusaders - replacement loosehead. All else is just awesome.
Oliver Matthews
Expert
CONVERSION!!! Mitchell Hunt slots this one and the lead grows. Crusaders: 43 Highlanders: 17 Time: 77:10
76
Oliver Matthews
Expert
TRY!!! Will Jordan turns on the after burners and gets his 7th try for the season. He dummied and then saw a gap between forwards in the defensive line and used his pace to get through and then pinned his ears back all the way to the line. Crusaders: 41 Highlanders: 17 Time: 76:10
75