David Havili of the Crusaders breaks the line against the Highlanders. Photo / Photosport
Crusaders 52
Highlanders 15
Sometimes you’re the hammer, sometimes you’re the nail.
After being the latter in their Super Rugby Pacific opener last week, the roles reversed for the Crusaders second appearance of the campaign as they trampled the Highlanders 52-15 in Melbourne.
The opening match of the Super Round turned into a showcase for the Crusaders, despite some early intent from the Highlanders defence.
Richie Mo’unga and David Havili, the latter returning to second five-eighth after a week at fullback, had some dazzling moments on attack with elusive carries and deft kicking. Sam Whitelock, in his first game of the season, was immense in his return and disrupted the Highlanders lineout several times. His locking partner Scott Barrett showed his dexterity with ball in hand several times, while Ethan Blackadder was aggressive with his carries.
The impressive performance wasn’t without concerns. The Highlanders dominated them at the scrum early, while they might have been guilty of switching off late, allowing the Highlanders to get a couple of late tries.
While the Highlanders were on the wrong side of another blowout, there were some bright spots. Thomas Umaga-Jensen again gave a strong showing, the front row was strong at scrum time, and reserve halfback Folau Fakatava made an impact when he was injected into the game.
The Highlanders brought plenty of physicality to the early exchanges, battering the Crusaders ball carriers and standing strong on defence to force the Crusaders into some errors through frustration.
They took an early 3-0 lead through the boot of Freddie Burns, and they were on the right side of a 6-0 penalty count through the opening 20 minutes.
But the Crusaders attack continued to find its way into Highlanders territory, and eventually they broke through with Sevu Reece grabbing the opening try after 14 minutes.
The Crusaders were forced to go to their bench at the same time, with Jack Goodhue taken out of the contest with a groin injury.
A little Mo’unga magic saw the side score next, scooting down the touchline from his own 22, dancing around a defender and putting the Crusaders in a position to strike. They moved the ball through the hands and Fergus Burke was the one to get on the score sheet.
The Crusaders turned the screws around the half hour, and when Joe Moody tacked on to the back of a lineout drive in front of Codie Taylor, he got the ball in his hands and did not let go, with the veteran prop scoring the side’s third of the half.
Bad went to worse for the Highlanders in the second half as they turned the ball over immediately from the restart; Mo’unga going over from a beautiful chip kick from Havili soon after.
Tries to Havili, Taylor and Leicester Fainga’anuku saw the scoreline blow out, before a late double to Josh Timu made the final result a little more respectable for the Highlanders.
Crusaders 52 (Sevu Reece, Fergus Burke, Joe Moody, Richie Mo’unga, David Havili, Codie Taylor, Leicester Fainga’anuku tries; Mo’unga 7 cons, pen)
Highlanders 15 (Josh Timu 2 tries; Freddie Burns con, Sam Gilbert pen)
HT: 24-3
Vern Cotter's men are back into the top six on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder.