Southern spoils go to Highlanders

The Highlanders scored a late try to beat the Crusaders 21-19 in a lacklustre pre-season Super 14 game in Queenstown yesterday.

Early southern bragging rights were claimed by the Highlanders, with the rivals to meet again in the first round of the Super 14 in Christchurch on February 11. But, typically, it was a pre-season game that did not exactly feature sparkling displays of running and passing.

Both sides made frequent substitutions and the quality and continuity of rugby suffered as a result. Defences were relatively impressive, though, with Highlanders loose forwards Tim Boys and Andrew Blowers both making their mark with some shuddering hits.

The game fizzled out in the second half as the sides tried to give the ball some air but, more often than not, it was dropped or turned over.

But the Highlanders scored a popular late try when Nick Evans made a break and reserve halfback Toby Morland crossed the line.

The Crusaders had taken a narrow halftime lead when winger Lucky Mulipola, from the wider training squad, strolled over for a try with barely a hand laid on him. Winger Roy Kinikinilau had opened the scoring for the Highlanders, pushing off All Black fullback Leon MacDonald, to post his first try in his first game for his new team. But if the local crowd had been hoping that was a sign of things to come, they were to be disappointed.

Young first five-eighths Steven Brett skipped through for the Crusaders to level the scores and minutes later MacDonald put through a clever kick that Cameron McIntyre flicked back infield for Steven Yates to pounce on.

Stand-in captain Seilala Mapusua showed his strength and pace to get a try back for the Highlanders in front of a crowd of around 5000. The Highlanders play another pre-season game in Queenstown on Thursday against the Chiefs.


Highlanders 21 (Roy Kinikinilau, Seilala Mapusua, Toby Morland tries; Ben Blair 2 cons, Ryan Bambry con).
Crusaders 19 (Steven Brett, Steven Yates, Lucky Mulipola tries; Cameron McIntyre 2 cons).
Halftime: Crusaders 19-14.

- NZPA