Crusaders vs Highlanders Rugby 𝕃𝕚𝕧𝕖 Ｆｒｅｅ Ｓｔｒｅａｍｓ
Highlanders hand a debut to experienced prop Angus Ta'avao, who starts at tighthead following his move from Blues. There's a Super Rugby debut for number eight Lucas Casey, while replacement back Reesjan Pasitoa is also in line for his top-level bow. Co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai plays his 50th Super Rugby game. dfgf
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For Crusaders, Finlay Brewis returns to start at loosehead prop. He missed the entire 2025 campaign after injuring his shoulder in a warm-up fixture.
Captain David Havili and Braydon Ennor are in the centres, meaning Leicester Fainga'anuku, who shone in the midfield for the All Blacks last autumn, lines up on the wing, although head coach Rob Penney says he will have licence to roam.
Crusaders to win by over 12 points @ 6/4
Crusaders have won five of their last six meetings with Highlanders, and previous round one history is also on their side.
This is the fifth time the two have met in the opening round, with the Canterbury outfit winning the previous four.
Highlanders ended 2025 with one win in their final 11 matches, and it remains to be seen whether they will be able to keep hold of coach Jamie Joseph, who is considered the leading contender to be the next All Blacks head coach after Scott Robertson's firing in January.
Robertson got the role on the strength of his work at Crusaders, and his successor, Penney, who took over in 2024 following 'Razor's' departure, has recovered from a slow start to restore the franchise's place as the top team in the competition.
They retain an ability to peak at the right time, but can also blow teams away, and a one-sided win for the visitors awaits.
Highlanders vs Crusaders
Highlanders vs Crusaders Rugby
Highlanders vs Crusaders Game
Highlanders vs Crusaders Super Rugby Pacific
STARTING XV
Ethan de Groot
Jack Taylor
Angus Ta᧙avao (Debut for Highlanders)
Oliver Haig
Mitch Dunshea
Te Kamaka Howden
Sean Withy (cc)
Lucas Casey (Debut Super Rugby and Highlander)
Folau Fakatava
Cameron Millar
Jona Nareki
Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc) (50th Super Rugby game)
Jonah Lowe
Caleb Tangitau
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
IMPACT: 16. Henry Bell, 17. Josh Bartlett, 18. Rohan Wingham, 19. Will Stodart, 20. Veveni Lasaqa, 21. Adam Lennox, 22. Reesjan Pasitoa (Debut for Highlanders), 23. Tanielu Tele᧙a
Unavailable due to injury: Saula Ma᧙u (shoulder - 8 weeks), Xavier ***o-Harris (hamstring - 2 weeks), Stanley Solomon (shoulder - 2 weeks), Finn Hurley (foot - 5 weeks), Andrew Knewstubb (quad - 2 weeks). Season Ending: Dylan Pledger (ACL), Fabian Holland (Shoulder)
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