Crusaders squeeze past Highlanders in thrilling southern derby

The penultimate round of Super Rugby Pacific got underway at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch on Friday evening, where the Crusaders hosted their southern rivals, the Highlanders.

Rob Penney’s Crusaders managed to close out the game 15-12 after a thrilling 80 minutes, as a last-minute kick from Highlanders replacement playmaker Cam Millar went wide.

The Crusaders have now won nine of their last ten games at Apollo Projects Stadium against the Highlanders, extending their run of excellent form against the Dunedin franchise.

Jamie Joseph’s Highlanders season has gone from bad to worse, losing their last five matches and with the loss, stay at the bottom of the Super Rugby Pacific table.

The opening five minutes of the match was dominated by in-play kicking from both teams, before Highlanders captain Timoci Tavatavanawai was caught offside, handing Rivez Reihana the opportunity to take the lead. Reihana slotted the penalty from out in front, giving the Crusaders a 3-0 lead.

The match’s opening try started from inside the Crusaders half, where Johnny McNicholl broke through the defensive line and made his way deep inside the Highlanders’ 22.

Sevu Reece smartly decided to take a quick tap right out in front of the posts, before Cullen Grace went close. Reece then got his hands on the ball once again, finally breaking the all-time Super Rugby Pacific try-scoring record, overtaking TJ Perenara.

Reece’s 66th Super Rugby Pacific try extended the Crusaders lead to 10-0 after 15 minutes.

After Reece’s try, the Highlanders were able to start gaining some momentum, getting themselves on the front foot.

Tavatavanawai was able to steal the ball down the Crusaders left hand side before the Crusaders were penalised multiple times for not rolling away.

The away side refused to take the points, going to the lineout to try and drive their way to the line. Joseph’s men weren’t able to get any reward from the drive, but referee Todd Petrie awarded the Highlanders another penalty in midfield. Taine Robinson’s kick from 30m out hit the upright, leaving the Highlanders without any points from their dominance.

The Highlanders continued to pile on the pressure inside the Crusaders’ half, eventually getting their reward through Jonah Lowe.

The Crusaders won the ball back in their own half, but were unable to clear properly, gifting Tavatavanawai the ball with some space in front of him.

Tavatavanawai carried strongly before Lowe got his hands on the ball close to the line, powering through a couple of last-ditch tackles to score the Highlanders’ first try of the evening. Robinson’s conversion was off to the right, keeping the score at 10-5.

HT: 10-5 to the Crusaders.

The start of the second half was much of the same for the Highlanders, with Tavatavanawai pouncing on another Crusaders error.

The Highlanders midfielder was involved three or four times in the one play, on the back of some solid offloads from Lowe and Taniela Filimone.

Reece cleared for the Crusaders, but the Highlanders got the ball back immediately and headed towards the Crusaders line.

Highlanders loose forward Sean Withy timed his turnover attempt to perfection, winning a penalty inside the Crusaders 22. Robinson sent the ball into touch giving the Highlanders a five-metre lineout opportunity.

Barnstorming Highlanders loose forward Veveni Lasaqa fired a fantastic short ball off to Folau Fakatava on the back of the maul, who dished it off to Robinson close to the posts. Robinson successfully converted his own try, giving the away side their first lead of the game, 12-10.

Once again, Withy forced another turnover penalty for the Highlanders, with the away side deciding to go for goal from halfway. Reserve playmaker Cam Millar was tasked with the kick at goal, but his kick sailed wide to the left of the posts.

Penney’s Crusaders finally managed to get their hands on the ball  in the Highlanders’ 22, on the back of some offloads with ball in hand. James O’Connor kicked to the corner, where the Crusaders backed their lineout drive.

George Bell went close before All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams powered over the line. O’Connor’s conversion was to the right of the posts, keeping the Highlanders within touching distance, only trailing by three points.

The Highlanders were given the chance to level the scores on full time, as the Crusaders were penalised for not rolling away at the ruck.

Millar’s kick agonisingly went wide of the posts, giving the Crusaders the victory at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch.

FT: 15-12 to the Crusaders.

The Crusaders will travel to Canberra next weekend to take on the Brumbies in the final regular season round of the season.

Jamie Joseph and the Highlanders will host the high-flying Chiefs in Dunedin next Friday night under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium.