Lucas Casey and Ethan Blackadder. Graphic: Liam K. Swiggs Photo: Photosport
Highlanders v Crusaders
Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 13 February
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Live blog updates on RNZ
And we're back. Super Rugby Pacific returns with a southern derby between the Highlanders and the Crusaders, two teams coming in with very contrasting situations right now. The home side has arguably their best player ruled out for the whole season this week, while coach Jamie Joseph may only have that title for a few more weeks. Oh, and the Highlanders came dead last in 2025.
Meanwhile, the Crusaders are defending champions after a remarkable comeback season last year. They tipped over the Chiefs in a tense final, after a highly entertaining Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Tamaiti Williams scores the winning try during the Crusaders v Highlanders, Super Rugby Pacific match, Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch. Photo: Joseph Johnson/ActionPress
Team lists
Highlanders: 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Jack Taylor, 3 Angus Ta'avao, 4 Oliver Haig, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 7 Sean Withy, 8 Lucas Casey, 9 Folau Fakatava, 10 Cameron Millar, 11 Jona Nareki, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 13 Jonah Lowe, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Bench: 16 Henry Bell, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Rohan Wingham, 19 Will Stodart, 20 Veveni Lasaqa, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Reesjan Pasitoa, 23 Tanielu Tele'a
Crusaders: 1 Finlay Brewis, 2 George Bell, 3 Seb Calder, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 5 Jamie Hannah, 6 Dom Gardiner, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 9 Noah Hotham, 10 Rivez Reihana, 11 Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12 David Havili (c), 13 Braydon Ennor, 14 Sevu Reece, 15 Chay Fihaki
Bench: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Tahlor Cahill, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Taha Kemara, 23 Will Jordan
Highlanders team news
Lucas Casey. Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress
Fabian Holland is the big name missing, with the All Black lock suffering a shoulder injury that'll keep him out of rugby till the test season. Pumas import Tomas Lavanini has not been adjudged fit to take his place so Mitch Dunshea and Oliver Haig pair up in the second row.
All eyes will be on young number eight Lucas Casey after his standout NPC season last year, while the backline has Timoci Tavatavanawai and Jonah Lowe pairing up in midfield.
Crusaders team news
Ethan Blackadder of the Crusaders. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 www.photosport.nz
The depth that Rob Penney has available to him is on show in this Crusaders side, with Codie Taylor and Will Jordan set to come off the bench. Ethan Blackadder is the most intriguing starter in the pack, can he stay injury free and regain his spot in the All Blacks? He'll have the help of a dependable crew around him, George Bell is coming off a big NPC season and test recall, while out in the backs Noah Hotham has been given the start at halfback over Kyle Preston.
Key stats
Sevu Reece scores a try during the Crusaders v Force, Super Rugby Pacific match, Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch. Photo: Martin Hunter/ActionPress
The Crusaders have won four of their last five matches against the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium, with the only blip being a 32-29 defeat in their horror 2024 season.
The Highlanders have lost their last six Super Rugby Pacific matches against New Zealand opposition teams by an average of 15.8 points per game.
Crusaders wing Sevu Reece has been directly involved in 23 tries across his last 23 Super Rugby Pacific games (16 tries, seven assists).
What they're saying
"I'm thinking about the Highlanders, that's been my focus. The publicity around the (All Black) job has been surprisingly simple for the players, there hasn't been a lot said. This is my first game this season, I'm really focused on the Highlanders." - Jamie Joseph.
"I hope (the starting players) are relishing it deeply. It's a great opportunity for them, in a number of areas. For them to get this much time to play, it's awesome for us to see how they cope with it … it's up to them to take it." - Rob Penney.
The last time they met
Crusaders 15 - 12 Highlanders
After a wretched season, the Highlanders almost pulled off a massive upset in Christchurch. Unfortunately, Cam Millar's usually dependable kicking form deserted him on the last play of the game, as he pushed a penalty attempt that would've sent the game to extra time wide of the posts.
What's going to happen
The Crusaders will probably win, and comfortably too, but this still stands as the Highlanders' best chance to pull off an upset. They started the season well last year but now have to contend with injuries and the Joseph situation, so that will be playing on their mind. The Crusaders just need to pick up where they left off, with Leicester Fainga'anuku and Sevu Reece sure to come off the wings and cause havoc.
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