Folau Fakatava of the Highlanders and Sevu Reece of the Crusaders compete for the ball during the round 11 Super Rugby Pacific match between Highlanders and Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium, on April 26, 2025, in Dunedin. Photo: Joe Allison / Getty Images
Fullback Will Jordan and hooker Codie Taylor scored two tries apiece, as their Crusaders overwhelmed the Highlanders 43-10 with an imperious defensive display at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The northern invaders were called on to make almost twice as many tackles as their rivals, but kept them scoreless until midway through the second half, when the contest was already decided.
Jordan had the Crusaders on the front foot early, securing his double inside the opening 15 minutes, while Taylor had his first before halftime for a 21-0 advantage at the break.
Taylor was yellow-carded for a professional foul, with the Highlanders hot on attack, but even with their numerical edge, the home side could not find a way through the defence. The Crusaders soaked up the 10 minutes through a series of shorthanded scrums that saw captain and midfielder David Havili packing down on the side.
No sooner had Taylor rejoined the action, he popped up off a lineout attack to score.
Both sides lost key players early, with Crusaders first-five Taha Kemara succumbing to a nasty knee injury that may end his season and lock Fabian Hollander exiting for the Highlanders.
Rivez Reihana came off the bench for Kemara and converted five of his side's six tries, adding a penalty for good measure.
Winger Jonah Lowe finally had the Highlanders on the scoreboard with a try in the corner and flanker Veveni Lasaqa added another to bring some respectability to the result, but replacements Corey Kellow and Chay Fihaki crossed for the Crusaders.
Taylor returned for a late cameo, when Kellow was withdrawn for a head check, and scored his second try from a tap penalty near the line after fulltime.
"Defence has been a big thing for us the last 3-4 weeks," Jordan said. "I don't know how many tackles we made, but over 200 I'd say.
"Five points, pretty stoked."
The outcome sees the Crusaders level with the Chiefs atop the Super Rugby Pacific table, trailling on points difference, with a top-the-table clash looming after next week's bye.
Highlanders remain outside the top-six playoff contenders and will host Moana Pasifika in a must-win encounter next Sunday.
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Team lists
Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Soane Vikena, 3. Saula Mau, 4. Mitch Dunshea, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Te Kamaka Howden, 7. Sean Withy, 8. Will Stodart, 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jonah Lowe, 12. Jake Te Hiwi, 13. Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 14. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Bench: 16. Jack Taylor, 17. Josh Bartlett, 18. Sosefo Kautai, 19. Oliver Haig, 20. Veveni Lasaqa, 21. Nathan Hastie, 22. Sam Gilbert, 23. Josh Whaanga
Crusaders: 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Jamie Hannah, 6. Xavier Saifoloi, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Taha Kemara, 11. Macca Springer, 12. David Havili (c), 13. Dallas McLeod, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan
Bench: 16. Ioane Moananu, 17. Tamaiti Williams, 18. Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 19. Tahlor Cahill, 20. Corey Kellow, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. Rivez Reihana, 23. Chay Fihaki
