Highlanders 25 - 23 Crusaders

Full time

13 Feb 2026

Super Rugby Pacific

Stage: Regular Season Round 1

Forsyth Barr Stadium

Highlanders vs Crusaders head to head

🎉 1

👏 1

🔥 2

😭 1

The Highlanders secured a thrilling 25-23 victory over the Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Cameron Millar opened the scoring with an early penalty, followed by a try from Caleb Tangitau to give the Highlanders a strong start. The Crusaders responded with a try from Noah Hotham, converted by Rivez Reihana, narrowing the deficit. Just before halftime, the Highlanders extended their lead with tries from Angus Ta'avao and Jonah Lowe, both converted by Millar. The second half saw Will Jordan score for the Crusaders, but the Highlanders maintained their composure. Millar's penalty late in the game ensured the Highlanders held onto their slim lead. This match marked a significant turnaround for the Highlanders after recent defeats against the Crusaders.

Broadcasters

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

Weather

Temperature: 15.0°C (Feels like 14.3°C) Condition: PartlyCloudy Wind: 10.5 km/h, gusting to 20.1 km/h Humidity: 72% Cloud Cover: 52%

Highlights

Events

Kickoff
2'

Penalty

Cameron Millar · Highlanders

3 - 0
14'

Try

Caleb Tangitau · Highlanders

8 - 0
19'

Try

Noah Hotham · Crusaders

8 - 5
20'

Conversion

Rivez Reihana · Crusaders

8 - 7
22'

Substitution

Will Jordan on for David Havili · Crusaders
27'

Substitution

David Havili on for Will Jordan · Crusaders
40'

Penalty

Rivez Reihana · Crusaders

8 - 10
40'

Substitution

Ethan de Groot on for Josh Bartlett · Highlanders
40'

Substitution

Angus Ta'avao on for Rohan Wingham · Highlanders
Halftime 8 - 10
Second Half
41'

Penalty

Rivez Reihana · Crusaders

8 - 13
44'

Try

Angus Ta'avao · Highlanders

13 - 13
45'

Conversion

Cameron Millar · Highlanders

15 - 13
48'

Try

Jonah Lowe · Highlanders

20 - 13
49'

Conversion

Cameron Millar · Highlanders

22 - 13
50'

Substitution

Taha Kemara on for Rivez Reihana · Crusaders
50'

Substitution

Corey Kellow on for Christian Lio-Willie · Crusaders
50'

Substitution

Codie Taylor on for George Bell · Crusaders
50'

Substitution

George Bower on for Finlay Brewis · Crusaders
50'

Substitution

Fletcher Newell on for Seb Calder · Crusaders
50'

Substitution

Will Jordan on for David Havili · Crusaders
57'

Substitution

Adam Lennox on for Folau Fakatava · Highlanders
57'

Substitution

Tanielu Tele'a on for Jonah Lowe · Highlanders
57'

Substitution

Will Stodart on for Oliver Haig · Highlanders
57'

Substitution

Kyle Preston on for Noah Hotham · Crusaders
58'

Substitution

Henry Bell on for Jack Taylor · Highlanders
58'

Substitution

Veveni Lasaqa on for Lucas Casey · Highlanders
60'

Try

Will Jordan · Crusaders

22 - 18
61'

Conversion

Taha Kemara · Crusaders

22 - 20
64'

Substitution

Noah Hotham on for Kyle Preston · Crusaders
69'

Substitution

Reesjan Pasitoa on for Timoci Tavatavanawai · Highlanders
71'

Penalty

Taha Kemara · Crusaders

22 - 23
71'

Substitution

Tahlor Cahill on for Ethan Blackadder · Crusaders
78'

Penalty

Cameron Millar · Highlanders

25 - 23
Fulltime 25 - 23

Player ratings

Highlanders

15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens 8.6
14 Caleb Tangitau 7.3
13 Jonah Lowe 7.8
12 Timoci Tavatavanawai 7.8
11 Jona Nareki 8.2
10 Cameron Millar 6.5
9 Folau Fakatava 6.4
1 Josh Bartlett 6.2
2 Jack Taylor 7.6
3 Rohan Wingham 6.1
4 Oliver Haig 6.5
5 Mitch Dunshea 6.7
6 TK Howden 6.5
7 Sean Withy 7.5
8 Lucas Casey 6.6
16 Henry Bell 6.8
17 Ethan de Groot 6.3
18 Angus Ta'avao 7.4
19 Will Stodart 6.8
20 Veveni Lasaqa 6.5
21 Adam Lennox 6.1
22 Reesjan Pasitoa 6.1
23 Tanielu Tele'a 5.6

Crusaders

15 Chay Fihaki 5.8
14 Sevu Reece 5.7
13 Braydon Ennor 5.4
12 David Havili 6.4
11 Leicester Fainga'anuku 6.1
10 Rivez Reihana 5.8
9 Noah Hotham 7.9
1 Finlay Brewis 6.3
2 George Bell 7.3
3 Seb Calder 5.4
4 Antonio Shalfoon 6.4
5 Jamie Hannah 6.5
6 Dom Gardiner 6.7
7 Ethan Blackadder 6.8
8 Christian Lio-Willie 6.2
16 Codie Taylor 6.3
17 George Bower 6.1
18 Fletcher Newell 6.7
19 Tahlor Cahill –
20 Corey Kellow 6.3
21 Kyle Preston –
22 Taha Kemara 6.7
23 Will Jordan 8.7