Crusaders v Highlanders
Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 23 May
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Despite being last place on the table, the Highlanders still have a mathematical chance of making the Super Rugby Pacific play-offs. It's about as remote as trip to the Chatham Islands, but a bonus point win tonight will at least set them on that path. Jamie Joseph's team is coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington, however the signs were there that they could cause an upset tonight.
The Crusaders are coming off an entertaining win against the Waratahs, made more impressive considering how many players they were missing.
Team lists
Crusaders: 1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Jamie Hannah, 6. Cullen Grace, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Mitch Drummond, 10. Rivez Reihana, 11. Macca Springer, 12. David Havili (c), 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Johnny McNicholl
Bench: 16. George Bell, 17. George Bower, 18. Seb Calder, 19. Quinten Strange, 20. Corey Kellow, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. James O'Connor, 23. Dallas McLeod
Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot (cc), 2. Jack Taylor, 3. Saula Ma'u, 4. Mitch Dunshea, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Te Kamaka Howden, 7. Veveni Lasaqa, 8. Sean Withy, 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Taine Robinson, 11. Taniela Filimone, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc), 13. Tanielu Tele'a, 14. Jonah Lowe, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Bench: 16. Soane Vikena, 17. Josh Bartlett, 18. Sosefo Kautai, 19. Tai Cribb, 20. Will Stodart, 21. Adam Lennox, 22. Cam Millar, 23. Thomas Umaga-Jensen
Crusaders selections
Saula Ma'u during the Highlanders v Crusaders, Super Rugby Pacific match, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin. Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress
Scott Barrett is back alongside Jamie Hannah in the second row, which makes this about as close to a first choice pack for the Crusaders. Mitch Drummond gets to run out with the starting team in his 150th Super Rugby game, with Kyle Preston on the bench and Noah Hotham given the weekend off, while Johnny McNicholl retains his spot at fullback.
Highlanders selections
Not many changes for the Highlanders, with Taniela Filimone starting on the wing for the injured Jona Nareki. Tai Cribb comes onto the bench to cover loose forward, while Saula Ma'u plays his 50th game for the Highlanders.
Key stats
Jonah Lowe scores a try during the Hurricanes v Highlanders, Super Rugby Pacific match, Sky Stadium. Photo: Marty Melville/Actionpress
The Crusaders have won four of their last five matches against the Highlanders, scoring over 40 points in their last two wins.
The Highlanders have lost eight of their last nine Super Rugby Pacific games including their last four in a row.
Highlanders wing Jonah Lowe is on a three-game try scoring streak in Super Rugby Pacific, crossing for a total of five tries in that period.
The last time they met
Crusaders 43 - 10 Highlanders
This was where it all started to go badly wrong for the Highlanders, they were blown off the park before halftime by a very efficient Crusaders side in round 11. The good news is that they don't have to deal with Will Jordan again, with the fullback gashing them for two tries in the first 10 minutes. But really, this defeat exposed some serious areas of concern for the Highlanders on defence.
What's going to happen
This is a very strong looking Crusaders side, playing at home and with a serious motivation to regain the top spot on the ladder. So the task is monumental for the strugglers, however if the Highlanders can put up the sort of fight they showed last weekend it's possible they can pull something off. It'll take a serious amount of luck and attacking nous, considering they need a bonus point to keep their season alive.
