All You Need To Know Ahead Of Crusaders Vs Highlanders Derby In Christchurch
The rematch between the Crusaders and the Highlanders is set for Christchurch, with the defending champions desperate to avenge their round-one defeat in Dunedin. Crusaders Vs Highlanders arrives with both sides carrying only one win since that opening meeting, mounting pressure on the home side after a heavy loss that sparked tensions at training.
Crusaders Vs Highlanders: Teams And Form
Both teams arrive with mixed results — each has managed one win since their first clash of the season. The Brumbies remain atop the Super Rugby Pacific table after four rounds, while the Crusaders and Highlanders sit seventh and eighth respectively.
- Crusaders (starting XV): 1. Finlay Brewis; 2. Codie Taylor; 3. Fletcher Newell; 4. Antonio Shalfoon; 5. Tahlor Cahill; 6. Ethan Blackadder; 7. Johnny Lee (on debut); 8. Christian Lio-Willie; 9. Noah Hotham; 10. Rivez Reihana; 11. Sevu Reece; 12. David Havili (c); 13. Braydon Ennor; 14. Chay Fihaki; 15. Will Jordan. Bench: George Bell, George Bower, Seb Calder, Will Tucker, Xavier Saifoloi, Kyle Preston, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Dallas McLeod.
- Highlanders (starting XV): 1. Ethan de Groot; 2. Jack Taylor; 3. Angus Ta’avao; 4. Tomás Lavanini; 5. Mitch Dunshea; 6. Te Kamaka Howden; 7. Sean Withy (cc); 8. Lucas Casey; 9. Folau Fakatava; 10. Cameron Millar; 11. Jona Nareki; 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc); 13. Tanielu Tele’a; 14. Caleb Tangitau; 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens. Bench: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Rohan Wingham, Oliver Haig, Nikora Broughton, Veveni Lasaqa, Adam Lennox, Reesjan Pasitoa.
Tensions At Crusaders Training After Heavy Loss
The Crusaders’ disappointing start deepened after a significant defeat by the Blues, and tensions flared at a training session later in the week. A heated scuffle was reported, with two squad members coming to blows during an intense practice. The club has played down the incident, but it underlines growing pressure on the defending champions as they attempt to arrest a run that leaves them with only one victory in four matches.
Highlanders’ Approach And Veveni Lasaqa’s Form
The Highlanders have shifted their style this season, with coaching direction described as “playing it less safe. ” That approach helped them beat the Crusaders 25-23 in the opening round, and it has produced encouraging individual performances since. Veveni Lasaqa, included on the bench for the Christchurch meeting, recently delivered his strongest showing in a Highlanders jersey: starting, scoring a try, making incisive carries, and finishing as the top tackler in a lively win that featured multiple lead changes.
Lasaqa has spoken about enjoying more minutes and expressing himself on both sides of the ball, aiming to be dynamic in carrying and at the breakdown. That intent, combined with other contributors who have won turnovers and made decisive plays, frames the Highlanders’ threat for the derby.
Saturday night’s Southern Derby in Christchurch will test whether the Crusaders can steady after internal friction and heavy defeat, or whether the Highlanders’ more adventurous game and recent form will deepen the champions’ early-season anxieties. Expectations are for a tightly contested rematch with playoff implications as the Super Rugby Pacific season unfolds.
