Final warmup win eludes Landers

THE Highlanders have lost in the final minute to the Crusaders in their last hitout before the season gets under way.

The Crusaders scored the late try through replacement outside back Will Jordan to take the win at Southbridge last evening.

There were plenty of lead changes in an exciting second half.

The home team had led at halftime 147 and when it went ahead 197 things looked ominous for the Highlanders. But they came back well and were up 3831 with less than 10 minutes left.

Lock Mitch Dunshea then crashed over for the Crusaders and Jordan won the game with a try at the end.

The Highlanders would have liked to have won the game. Though this is only preseason and nothing was riding on the result, a victory over the old enemy from across the river would have given players a real boost.

The sides will meet again in just over a month in the Super Rugby competition proper, playing at Forsyth Barr Stadium on March 16, albeit with vastly different lineups.

The Highlanders, though, would have been pleased to have given everyone a run.

Coming back into the side next week will be a swag of All Blacks with key players such as Aaron and Ben Smith, and winger Waisake Naholo, ready to play.

The returning All Blacks may be rusty after not having played either of the preseason games but Highlanders management have had them on a dedicated training programme and are confident they will be right for the first competition game in less than a week. They rejoined the squad at the end of last month.

The returning All Blacks are also set to miss two games during the season for the Highlanders as part of an agreement with the All Black selectors. Some are also on restricted playing minutes during the opening rounds.

That may upset some Highlanders supporters but the Crusaders have it worse. Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock and Codie Taylor will all have delayed starts to the season.

The Highlanders also have four players coming back from a spell in Japanese top league rugby. Only Marty Banks has played in any of the preseason; loose forward Elliot Dixon, utility back Richard Buckman and lock Tom Franklin did not take the field in Alexandra or Southbridge.

It will be an interesting selection meeting for the Highlanders coaching team next week with the likes of lock Pari Pari Parkinson, flanker James Lentjes and midfielder Sio Tomkinson putting their hands up over the past couple of games. Tomkinson helped himself to two tries last night as he enjoyed his time in the midfield.

Hooker Liam Coltman scored the first try of the game, just as he did last week in Alexandra, and is looking for a big season as hooking spots remain wide open in the national side.

The Highlanders will play their first competition game against the Chiefs in Hamilton this Friday night. The Crusaders set out to defend their title again, and take a hattrick of titles, with a match against the Blues at Eden Park next Saturday night.