Let’s ignore the record for a moment . . .
The Highlanders do not, it must be said, have a great record against the Crusaders. Just 12 wins from 44 games with a points differential of minus 420. Ouch. Hayden Meikle looks to pick everyone’s spirits up by highlighting five of the best wins over the Evil Empire.
May 5, 1996
Christchurch
Highlanders 29, Crusaders 27
The oil: This was not exactly a shock result — the Crusaders were almost as bad in the inaugural season of Super Rugby as they are this year — but they say your first is always your best. Sunday afternoon rugby at a place called Lancaster Park between the Otago Highlanders and the Canterbury Crusaders in something my late colleague, Brent Edwards, briefly called the IPC (International Provincial Championship). That’s how long ago it was. Matt Cooper kicked four penalties for the Highlanders and Jeff Wilson grabbed a couple of tries.
Random Highlander: Chris England came off the bench.
Random Crusader: Adrian Tukaki.
May 17, 2008
Christchurch
Highlanders 26, Crusaders 14
The oil: Nobody saw this coming. Glenn Moore was in his first year as coach and the Highlanders were in danger of earning the wooden spoon. They avoided it with a stunningly unexpected win. Craig Newby was magnificent in his last game for the Highlanders. Random Highlander: Paul Williams was such a good player before his injuries. Random Crusader: Ali Williams had his one season in Christchurch.
April 23, 2011
Nelson
Highlanders 26, Crusaders 18
The oil: Played at Trafalgar Park, as the Christchurch stadium was wrecked by earthquakes. The Highlanders built a slight lead then put up a wall of defence to hold on for the upset in Jamie Joseph’s first season, reversing a 4413 tonking at Carisbrook a month earlier.
Random Highlander: Mahonri Schwalger was hooker, and is now Manu Samoa coach. Ben Smith made an unusual start at second five.
Random Crusader: Former Otago man Matt Berquist was at first five.
March 3, 2012
Dunedin Highlanders 27, Crusaders 24
The oil: Forever immortalised as The Clock Game. The 22,500 fans (remember those days?) did not know whether to laugh or cry as the official clock at Forsyth Barr Stadium was three minutes fast. The Highlanders twice kicked the ball out, thinking it would end the game, but the referee said play on and the Crusaders had time for a late (unsuccessful) drop goal attempt.
Random Highlander: Nick Crosswell. Random Crusader: Tyler Bleyendaal. Once thought to be the next great hope.
April 2, 2021
Christchurch Highlanders 33, Crusaders 12
The oil: A good oldfashioned thumping
— a repeat this weekend, please. Random Highlander: Kazuki Himeno looked the goods in his one season in New Zealand.
Random Crusader: I was going to say Michael Ala’alatoa before finding out he played 94 games for them. hayden.meikle@odt.co.nz