Crusaders put down pre-season marker
MATCH REPORT: The defending champion Crusaders put down an impressive pre-season marked when they thrashed the Highlanders 41-7 in the Farmland Cup challenge at the Wanaka Showgrounds on Friday.
Despite a strong start by the Highlanders, who scored first through Rob Thompson, the Crusaders soon found their rhythm and scored twice to lead 12-7 at the half-time break.
The Crusaders backline had too much pace and skill, while the forwards dominated the collisions.
It was the final warm-up game for both teams, with Super Rugby starting next weekend.
The Crusaders start their Super Rugby campaign against Rob Penney's Waratahs in Nelson next Saturday (February 1), while the Highlanders have the bye in week one and start their campaign against the Sharks in Dunedin on February 7.
The scorers
To be added ...
Teams
Highlanders teams:
First half team: 15 Josh Ioane, 14 Tima Fainga’anuku, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Mitch Hunt, 9 Kayne Hammington, 8 Marino Mikaele Tu’u, 7 James Lentjes (captain), 6 Dillon Hunt, 5 Pari Pari Parkinson, 4 Josh Dickson Parete, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Nathan Vella, 1 Ayden Johnstone.
Second half team: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Kirisi Kuridrani, 13 Patelesio Tomkinson, 12 Michael Collins, 11 Scott Gregory, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 7 Dillon Hunt (captain), 6 Zane Kapeli, 5 Jesse Parete, 4 Jack Whetton, 3 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 2 Sabastian Siataga, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Replacements: Ethan De Groot, Sione Misiloi, Aleki Morris.
Crusaders: 15 David Havili (captain), 14 Will Jordan, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Dallas McLeod, 11 Leicester Faingaanuku, 10 Brett Cameron, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Tom Sanders, 5 Quinten Strange, 4 Mitchell Dunshea, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Andrew Makalio, 1 Isi Tu’ungafasi.
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 George Bower, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Cullen Grace, 20 Sione Havili, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Fergus Burke, 23 Manasa Mataele, 24 Harry Allan, 25 Luke Romano, 26 Fetuli Paea.
Referee: Mike Fraser