The Crusaders kicked off their Super Rugby pre-season warm ups with a 28 / 15 victory over the Highlanders in Motueka.
The Crusaders played an internal match last week against a development team so this is their first match against another team.
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All Black fullback Israel Dagg opened the scoring on a soggy pitch with a 70m run having pounced on a loose ball from the Highlanders.
Scrum-half Andy Ellis scored the Crusaders second try and both tries were converted by Tyler Bleyendaal.
The match was played in quarters and after the first quarter the Crusaders led 14-0 and then at half time they led 21-3 thanks to a Willie Ripia penalty for the Highlanders.
Wing Nafi Tuitavake’s try has the Crusaders leading 28-3 half way through the third quarter.
Centre Kieron Fonotia who is part of the Crusaders wider training group scored their fourth try and Colin Slade converted.
Late Tries from former Rebels hooker Ged Robinson and Auckland centre Malakai Fekitoa got the Highlanders closer but the gap was still too big.
Final Score: Crusaders (21) 28 / 15 (3) Highlanders
Scorers:
Crusaders
Tries – Israel Dagg (1), Andy Ellis (1), Nafi Tuitavake (1), Kieron Fonotia (1)
Con – Tyler Bleyendaal (3), Colin Slade (1)
Highlanders
Tries – Ged Robinson (1), Malakai Fekitoa (1)
Pen – Willie Ripia (1)
Con – Willie Ripia (1)
Teams:
Crusaders: 1 Tim Perry, 2 Ben Funnell, 3 Nepo Laulala, 4 Luke Romano, 5 Dominic Bird, 6 George Whitelock, 7 Jed Brown, 8 Jordan Taufua, 9 Andy Ellis, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 11 Nafi Tuitavake, 12 Ryan Crotty (Captain), 13 Reynold Lee-Lo, 14 Rob Thompson, 15 Israel Dagg
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Owen Franks, 19 Joel Everson, 20 Matt Todd, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Colin Slade, 23 Kieron Fonotia, Samuel Whitelock, Tom Taylor, Adam Whitelock, Zac Guildford, Mitchell Drummond , Corey Flynn , Daniel Lienert Brown
Highlanders: 1 Chris King, 2 Braydon Mitchell, 3 Ma’afu Fia, 4 Brad Thorn, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 6 Gareth Evans, 7 John Hardie, 8 Elliot Dixon, 9 Frae Wilson, 10 Willie Ripia, 11 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Phil Burleigh, 13 Jason Emery, 14 Patrick Osborne, 15 Kurt Baker