Highlanders

25 - 23

Full Time

Crusaders

Crusaders vs Highlanders

Events

Commentary

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Live Updates

It's all over! The referee Angus Gardner has blown their whistle to end the game.

81'

Penalty Goal

Cameron Millar kicks the penalty.

78'

A gap opened in the defence and Codie Taylor took full advantage.

74'

Crusaders decide to make a substitution, with Tahlor Cahill getting some game time.

71'

Crusaders decide to make a substitution, with Ethan Blackadder being replaced.

71'

Penalty Goal

Taha Kemara has kicked a penalty goal.

71'

Highlanders make a substitution with Reesjan Pasitoa coming on.

69'

Highlanders make a substitution with Jona Nareki coming off.

69'

The defensive line has been broken as Will Jordan goes through the gap.

66'

Crusaders sub Noah Hotham comes onto the field.

64'

Kyle Preston departs for Crusaders.

64'

Conversion

The Crusaders supporters go wild as Taha Kemara successfully kicks the conversion.

61'

Try

Great hands by Crusaders leads to a try for Will Jordan

60'

The defensive line has been broken as Will Jordan goes through the gap.

60'

Spellbinding play by Taha Kemara is finished off with a try.

60'

Veveni Lasaqa comes on for Highlanders.

58'

Lucas Casey leaves the field.

58'

Henry Bell comes on for Highlanders.

58'

Jack Taylor leaves the field.

58'

Kyle Preston comes on for Crusaders.

58'

Noah Hotham leaves the field.

58'

Will Stodart comes on for Highlanders.

57'

Oliver Haig leaves the field.

57'

Tanielu Tele'a comes on for Highlanders.

57'

Jonah Lowe leaves the field.

57'

Adam Lennox comes on for Highlanders.

57'

Folau Fakatava leaves the field.

57'

What a run here by Fletcher Newell as they get over the gainline!

55'

What a run here by Jona Nareki as they get over the gainline!

53'

What a run here by Will Jordan as they get over the gainline!

51'

Will Jordan comes on.

50'

David Havili comes off.

50'

Fletcher Newell comes on.

50'

Seb Calder comes off.

50'

George Bower comes on.

50'

Finlay Brewis comes off.

50'

Codie Taylor comes on.

50'

George Bell comes off.

50'

Corey Kellow comes on.

50'

Christian Lio-Willie comes off.

50'

Taha Kemara comes on.

50'

Rivez Reihana comes off.

50'

Conversion

Cameron Millar adds the two points for Highlanders.

49'

Try

Slick passing by Highlanders leads to a try for Jonah Lowe.

48'

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens sets up the try.

48'

Jona Nareki makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

48'

Conversion

Cameron Millar adds the two points for Highlanders.

45'

Try

The defence are desperately trying to hold out here but it was to no avail as Angus Ta'avao dots the ball down from close range.

44'

Spellbinding play by Folau Fakatava is finished off with a try.

44'

Jonah Lowe makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

44'

Penalty Goal

Rivez Reihana kicks the penalty.

41'

Highlanders make a substitution with Angus Ta'avao coming on.

40'

Highlanders make a substitution with Rohan Wingham coming off.

40'

Highlanders sub Ethan de Groot comes onto the field.

40'

Josh Bartlett departs for Highlanders.

40'

The second half kicks off.

40'

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

40'

Penalty Goal

Rivez Reihana kicks the penalty.

40'

Trouble here as Jamie Hannah breaches the defence.

32'

David Havili comes on.

27'

Will Jordan comes off.

27'

Crusaders decide to make a substitution, with Will Jordan getting some game time.

22'

Crusaders decide to make a substitution, with David Havili being replaced.

22'

This is dangerous for the defence as Leicester Fainga'anuku bursts through to advance the Crusaders attack.

20'

Conversion

Rivez Reihana makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

20'

Try

Noah Hotham goes on their own for a try.

19'

This is dangerous for the defence as Noah Hotham bursts through to advance the Crusaders attack.

18'

This is dangerous for the defence as Sevu Reece bursts through to advance the Crusaders attack.

18'

Cameron Millar curls the ball too far, missing the posts to the left.

15'

Try

A series of passes by Highlanders results in a try for Caleb Tangitau

14'

Spellbinding play by Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is finished off with a try.

14'

A gap opened in the defence and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens took full advantage.

14'

A gap opened in the defence and Noah Hotham took full advantage.

11'

Penalty Goal

Cameron Millar has kicked a penalty goal.

We are underway as the referee Angus Gardner blows their whistle.

Watch

Highlanders v Crusaders

www.rugbypass.tv

Match Details

  
 Highlanders v Crusaders 
  
 Round 1 
  
 Thu 12th February 2026, 10:05pm PST 
  
 Forsyth Barr Stadium 
  
 RugbyPass TV 
  
 Angus Gardner

Points Flow Chart

Highlanders win +2

Time in lead

Mins in lead

83%

% Of Game In Lead

15%

40%

Possession Last 10 min

60%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Millar

25 - 23

78'

Kemara

71'

22 - 23

Kemara

61'

22 - 20

Jordan

60'

22 - 18

Millar

22 - 13

49'

Lowe

20 - 13

48'

Millar

15 - 13

45'

Ta'avao

13 - 13

44'

Reihana

41'

8 - 13

Half Time

Reihana

40'

8 - 10

Reihana

20'

8 - 7

Hotham

19'

8 - 5

Tangitau

8 - 0

14'

Millar

3 - 0

Start

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

3.6

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

1.5

Entries

Attack Profile

Highlanders

Crusaders

More Less

Defence Profile

Highlanders

Crusaders

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

36%

49%

3-6 secs

40%

28%

6+ secs

24%

22%

Rucks Won

Last 5 Penalties

58'

63'

69'

75'

77'

Highlanders

Crusaders

Highlanders vs Crusaders Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Highlanders face off against Crusaders in Super Rugby Pacific Round 1 on Thu 12th February 2026 at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 06:05 and is broadcast on Sky Sports. In South Africa it’s at 08:05 SAST on SuperSport, 19:05 NZST on Sky Sport, Sky Sport Now, Sky Go in New Zealand, 17:05 AEST on Stan Sport in Australia and 22:05 EST on RugbyPass TV in the US.

Crusaders won the last encounter but Crusaders are in the best form of their last 5 games.

Table Standings

Heading into the fixture the two sides are separated by 6 places in the league table with Crusaders in 3rd and Highlanders in 9th as such Crusaders are favourites on paper.

Highlanders vs Crusaders Squads

The official squads for Highlanders vs Crusaders will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.