Highlanders put turbulent week behind them to consign Crusaders to shock first defeat of season
The Highlanders have sprung a surprise in Super Rugby Aotearoa, winning 33-12 to condemn the Crusaders to their first defeat of the season.
Tries from Billy Harmon, Michael Collins and Connor Garden-Bachop did the damage for the Highlanders, who climbed off the bottom of the ladder and up into third with only their second win of the campaign.
Mitch Hunt impressed throughout, kicking 18 points in the Good Friday clash in Christchurch.
The Crusaders, who still lead the standings after five games, failed to find their form after going into the match off the back of a bye week.
Two successful penalties from Hunt gave the visitors a 6-0 lead inside the first 19 minutes, with Harmon adding the first try six minutes later.
Pari Pari Parkinson was stopped just short of the line but scrumhalf Folau Fakatava moved the ball wide for Harmon to drive over.
Hunt continued to rack up the points with a conversion and another penalty as Tony Brown's side took a commanding lead only for the Crusaders to edge their way back into the game in the dying moments of the half.
With the hooter having sounded for the completion of the first 40 minutes, the Crusaders kept the ball alive until Codie Taylor smuggled his way over the line to reduce the deficit to 16-7 at the break.
The Crusaders were lifted by Taylor's try, but dogged defensive work by the Highlanders kept the home side at bay as they made a bright start to the second period.
The Highlanders gained some breathing space when Hunt added his fourth penalty and centre Collins scored his try 22 minutes from time after a Will Jordan miss-kick gifted possession to the Highlanders close to the Crusaders' line.
David Havili reduced the deficit 11 minutes from time but his fellow All Black Richie Mo'unga missed the conversion and Canterbury's hopes of a comeback fizzled out, with Garden-Bachop's late try sealing a memorable night for the Highlanders.
Highlanders 33 (Tries to Billy Harmon, Michael Collins and Connor Garden-Bachop; 2 conversions and 4 penalties to Mitch Hunt)
Crusaders 12 (Tries to Codie Taylor and David Havili; conversion to Richie Mo'unga)
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Hi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
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