Crusaders 15 - 12 Highlanders

Full time

23 May 2025

Stage: Regular Season Round 15

Apollo Projects Stadium

The Crusaders secured a narrow victory against the Highlanders, finishing 15-12. Rivez Reihana opened the scoring with an early penalty and followed up with a conversion after Sevu Reece's try. The Highlanders responded through Jonah Lowe, who scored just before halftime, bringing the score to 10-5 at the break. In the second half, Taine Robinson registered a try for the Highlanders, leveling the match at 10-10 with his conversion. However, Tamaiti Williams' try for the Crusaders in the 71st minute proved decisive. Despite late pressure from the Highlanders, they could not find a way back, ultimately falling short. The match showcased strong defensive efforts from both sides, but the Crusaders held firm to claim the victory.

Broadcasters

Where to watch in: Australia, France, New Zealand, United Kingdom

Weather

Temperature: 11.5°C (Feels like 8.0°C) Condition: Clear Wind: 11.9 km/h, gusting to 27.0 km/h Humidity: 69% Cloud Cover: 4%

Highlights

Events

Kickoff
6'

Penalty

Rivez Reihana · Crusaders

3 - 0
14'

Try

Sevu Reece · Crusaders

8 - 0
14'

Conversion

Rivez Reihana · Crusaders

10 - 0
38'

Try

Jonah Lowe · Highlanders

10 - 5
Halftime 10 - 5
Second Half
45'

Substitution

Kyle Preston on for Mitchell Drummond · Crusaders
49'

Substitution

Quinten Strange on for Jamie Hannah · Crusaders
50'

Try

Taine Robinson · Highlanders

10 - 10
50'

Conversion

Taine Robinson · Highlanders

10 - 12
51'

Substitution

Cameron Millar on for Taine Robinson · Highlanders
54'

Substitution

Corey Kellow on for Cullen Grace · Crusaders
56'

Substitution

Thomas Umaga-Jensen on for Jonah Lowe · Highlanders
57'

Substitution

Dallas McLeod on for Braydon Ennor · Crusaders
59'

Substitution

George Bell on for Codie Taylor · Crusaders
63'

Substitution

James O'Connor on for David Havili · Crusaders
63'

Substitution

Jonah Lowe on for Taniela Filimone · Highlanders
63'

Substitution

Adam Lennox on for Folau Fakatava · Highlanders
63'

Substitution

Soane Vikena on for Jack Taylor · Highlanders
71'

Try

Tamaiti Williams · Crusaders

15 - 12
73'

Substitution

Josh Bartlett on for Ethan de Groot · Highlanders
73'

Substitution

Sefo Kautai on for Saula Ma'u · Highlanders
73'

Substitution

Will Stodart on for Veveni Lasaqa · Highlanders
77'

Substitution

Seb Calder on for George Bower · Crusaders
Fulltime 15 - 12

Player ratings

Crusaders

15 Johnny McNicholl 6.7
14 Sevu Reece 6.8
13 Braydon Ennor 7.2
12 David Havili 6.6
11 Macca Springer 6.1
10 Rivez Reihana 6.9
9 Mitchell Drummond 7.4
1 George Bower 7.1
2 Codie Taylor 7.1
3 Tamaiti Williams 8.1
4 Scott Barrett 6.7
5 Jamie Hannah 6.8
6 Cullen Grace 5.7
7 Tom Christie 7.8
8 Christian Lio-Willie 7.0
16 George Bell 7.0
17 Lewis Ponini –
18 Seb Calder –
19 Quinten Strange 6.6
20 Corey Kellow 6.5
21 Kyle Preston 6.3
22 James O'Connor 6.2
23 Dallas McLeod 6.6

Highlanders

15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens 6.0
14 Jonah Lowe 8.6
13 Tanielu Tele'a 5.9
12 Timoci Tavatavanawai 8.1
11 Taniela Filimone 6.9
10 Taine Robinson 7.2
9 Folau Fakatava 6.9
1 Ethan de Groot 6.9
2 Jack Taylor 6.5
3 Saula Ma'u 6.1
4 Fabian Holland 6.0
5 Tai Cribb 6.1
6 TK Howden 6.0
7 Veveni Lasaqa 6.5
8 Sean Withy 6.8
16 Soane Vikena 6.1
17 Josh Bartlett –
18 Sefo Kautai –
19 Michael Loft –
20 Will Stodart –
21 Adam Lennox 6.3
22 Cameron Millar 6.1
23 Thomas Umaga-Jensen 6.4