Crusaders 29 - 18 Highlanders

Full time

14 Mar 2026

Stage: Regular Season Round 5

Apollo Projects Stadium

The Crusaders secured a 29-18 victory against the Highlanders in a tightly contested Super Rugby match. Will Jordan opened the scoring with an early try for the Crusaders, but they faced a setback when Codie Taylor received a yellow card shortly after. The Highlanders responded with tries from Tanielu Tele'a and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, showcasing their attacking prowess. However, Johnny Lee's two tries for the Crusaders helped establish their dominance, particularly in the second half. Rivez Reihana's reliable kicking added crucial points, solidifying the Crusaders' lead. Despite the Highlanders' efforts, including penalties from Cameron Millar, they could not close the gap. The result marked an important win for the Crusaders, avenging their previous defeat to the Highlanders.

Broadcasters

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

Weather

Temperature: 16.7°C (Feels like 14.2°C) Condition: Clear Wind: 19.2 km/h, gusting to 34.8 km/h Humidity: 67% Cloud Cover: 0%

Highlights

Events

Kickoff
3'

Try

Will Jordan · Crusaders

5 - 0
13'

Yellow Card

Codie Taylor · Crusaders
16'

Substitution

George Bell on for Johnny Lee · Crusaders
19'

Try

Tanielu Tele'a · Highlanders

5 - 5
23'

Substitution

Dallas McLeod on for David Havili · Crusaders
23'

Yellow Card Complete

Codie Taylor · Crusaders
25'

Substitution

Johnny Lee on for George Bell · Crusaders
26'

Try

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens · Highlanders

5 - 10
27'

Conversion

Cameron Millar · Highlanders

5 - 12
30'

Try

Fletcher Newell · Crusaders

10 - 12
31'

Conversion

Rivez Reihana · Crusaders

12 - 12
33'

Substitution

Oliver Haig on for Mitch Dunshea · Highlanders
35'

Penalty

Cameron Millar · Highlanders

12 - 15
36'

Yellow Card

Finlay Brewis · Crusaders
36'

Substitution

Veveni Lasaqa on for Tomas Lavanini · Highlanders
Halftime 12 - 15
Second Half
41'

Substitution

George Bower on for Johnny Lee · Crusaders
45'

Penalty

Cameron Millar · Highlanders

12 - 18
46'

Substitution

Johnny Lee on for George Bower · Crusaders
46'

Yellow Card Complete

Finlay Brewis · Crusaders
49'

Try

Johnny Lee · Crusaders

17 - 18
49'

Substitution

Leicester Fainga'anuku on for Braydon Ennor · Crusaders
50'

Conversion

Rivez Reihana · Crusaders

19 - 18
55'

Try

Johnny Lee · Crusaders

24 - 18
56'

Conversion

Rivez Reihana · Crusaders

26 - 18
56'

Substitution

Soane Vikena on for Jack Taylor · Highlanders
56'

Substitution

Rohan Wingham on for Angus Ta'avao · Highlanders
57'

Substitution

George Bell on for Codie Taylor · Crusaders
57'

Substitution

Xavier Saifoloi on for Christian Lio-Willie · Crusaders
59'

Yellow Card

Chay Fihaki · Crusaders
59'

Substitution

Reesjan Pasitoa on for Cameron Millar · Highlanders
64'

Substitution

Josh Bartlett on for Ethan de Groot · Highlanders
67'

Penalty

Rivez Reihana · Crusaders

29 - 18
67'

Substitution

George Bower on for Finlay Brewis · Crusaders
67'

Substitution

Seb Calder on for Fletcher Newell · Crusaders
67'

Substitution

Nikora Broughton on for Lucas Casey · Highlanders
67'

Substitution

Adam Lennox on for Caleb Tangitau · Highlanders
69'

Substitution

Kyle Preston on for Noah Hotham · Crusaders
69'

Yellow Card Complete

Chay Fihaki · Crusaders
78'

Substitution

Will Tucker on for Antonio Shalfoon · Crusaders
Fulltime 29 - 18

Player ratings

Crusaders

15 Will Jordan 8.9
14 Chay Fihaki 5.1
13 Braydon Ennor 6.5
12 David Havili 6.6
11 Sevu Reece 7.2
10 Rivez Reihana 8.1
9 Noah Hotham 7.3
1 Finlay Brewis 5.8
2 Codie Taylor 5.6
3 Fletcher Newell 7.2
4 Antonio Shalfoon 6.6
5 Tahlor Cahill 6.1
6 Ethan Blackadder 7.4
7 Johnny Lee 8.4
8 Christian Lio-Willie 6.9
16 George Bell 7.3
17 George Bower 6.5
18 Seb Calder 6.1
19 Will Tucker –
20 Xavier Saifoloi 6.6
21 Kyle Preston 6.1
22 Leicester Fainga'anuku 6.7
23 Dallas McLeod 5.8

Highlanders

15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens 6.7
14 Caleb Tangitau 8.3
13 Tanielu Tele'a 6.8
12 Timoci Tavatavanawai 8.3
11 Jona Nareki 6.0
10 Cameron Millar 5.9
9 Folau Fakatava 5.2
1 Ethan de Groot 6.0
2 Jack Taylor 7.0
3 Angus Ta'avao 7.4
4 Tomas Lavanini 6.0
5 Mitch Dunshea 5.5
6 TK Howden 6.9
7 Sean Withy 7.2
8 Lucas Casey 6.4
16 Soane Vikena 6.3
17 Josh Bartlett 6.2
18 Rohan Wingham 5.9
19 Oliver Haig 5.6
20 Nikora Broughton 6.1
21 Veveni Lasaqa 5.7
22 Adam Lennox 5.9
23 Reesjan Pasitoa 6.1