Highlanders vs Crusaders takes: Dane Coles 2.0, a late Jamie Joseph juggle

The Highlanders have kicked off the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season on a high, downing the defending champions in Dunedin with a game-winning kick from Cam Millar in the 78th minute.

The hosts were superb in their thievery at the breakdown, and electric with their X-factor in the back three. The visitors, on the other hand, were rusty, committing 25 turnovers to the Highlanders’ 10.

The reigning champions dropping their first game always brings plenty of excitement over how open the season is, and the Highlanders have sent an early warning that they’re ready to dance with the best of them, despite losing star lock Fabian Holland for the season.

Here are some takeaways from the southern derby.

A late Jamie Joseph juggle

When the Highlanders named their first matcday 23 of the year on Wednesday, Ethan de Groot was starting alongside Jack Taylor and Angus Ta’avao. Fast forward to game time, and Taylor is starting, but de Groot and Ta’avao are on the bench.

This was a direct response to Rob Penney putting his All Blacks on the bench in an attempt to ease them back into action after missing much of the pre-season on All Blacks rest.

While it can be seen as a logical, simple switch to fight fire with fire, it’s seldom seen as many coaches adopt a more insular attitude towards selection, not wanting to give opponents a mental edge by conceding their selections demand reactive changes.

But Jamie Joseph wasn’t afraid to adapt on the fly, regardless of how it looked in regard to his confidence in the reserve unit he originally selected. Don’t overlook that last point, because the norm here is absolutely for a coach to at least pretend to have faith in the second-string players, even if you know they’re going to be outmuscled. It’s an insight into the coaching philosophy of the man every Kiwi rugby fan is talking about right now.

A clear winner from Fainga’anuku vs Tangitau

What an individual matchup to have in game one of the season, and what a statement to make from the young Highlanders flyer.

There was a clear winner in the bout, with Tangitau making it abundantly clear that 2025’s breakout season was no fluke. The former All Blacks Sevens ace showed his elite pace to score the first try of the season, gassing Chay Fihaki and Rivez Reihana down the touchline for a try few wingers could have finished.

Tangitau handled the high ball well, and his combination with fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is looking supremely cohesive, sure to produce many a highlight in 2026. There’s much to look forward to from this Highlanders backline.

Meanwhile, the Crusaders failed to get their returning star into the game on the left edge, and although their gainline performance was good, it could’ve been better with a certain destructive All Black’s influence. Fainga’anuku was one of many of the Crusaders’ All Blacks guilty of handline errors.

Dane Coles 2.0 

Jack Taylor was one of the stories of the 2025 All Blacks XV tour. Not a consistent starter for the Highlanders, but in great form for Southland and with an abrasive attitude that translated at the next level.

The 2026 version of Jack Taylor looks assured in his standing as a rising talent in New Zealand, and he’s certainly not afraid of taking anyone on. His antagonism when things got chippy, high-speed efforts when in the wide channels, and rugged play in tight evoked memories of one Dane Coles.

There’s value in an antagonist on the rugby park, and Coles’ retirement left something of a hole in both Super Rugby and the All Blacks in that space.

There were some lineout issues for the Highlanders on the night, but Taylor’s efforts on defence saw him leave the game as one of the top tacklers. The 22-year-old set a tone for his team through both his play and attitude, leaving an impression that lasted beyond his minutes on the park.

The Iceman

Cam Millar has one season to stake his claim before Josh Jacomb arrives in Dunedin, and he’s started with a very promising performance indeed.

Having lifted Otago to victory with clutch moments throughout the 2025 NPC season, Millar picked up where he left off with a game-winner in game one of 2026.

The pressure was on the 23-year-old with his side down one point in the 77th minute after Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens was tackled late and awarded a penalty. Millar stood just inside the Crusaders’ half with a mild angle to contend with and the game on the line, stepping forward and sending the ball straight towards the middle section of the Zoo, who celebrated accordingly as the flags were raised and the points added.

The Highlanders have talked plenty about the number of narrow losses they conceded in 2025 and how big a factor late-game execution can be for them in 2026. With Millar steering the ship and there to produce in those big moments, this team is one big step closer to competing at the business end of the season again.