Rugby: Highlanders to take on Crusaders in Timaru

The Highlanders will head to Timaru for their first hit-out of the 2015 season.

It was confirmed yesterday they would take on the Crusaders at Alpine Energy Stadium in Timaru on January 24, in the southern franchise's first pre-season game.

The sides have clashed in pre-season matches for the past few years and played in Motueka in February this year, with the Crusaders winning.

The Crusaders played a couple of games in Timaru in 2011 when Christchurch's ground could not be used because of earthquake damage.

The last pre-season match in the city was at the beginning of 2013, when the Crusaders hosted the Hurricanes.

The South Canterbury Rugby Union will host the game. The game could have been played under lights but will be played in the afternoon, with a 2pm kick-off.

The Highlanders' other two pre-season games are across the ditch: The side will take on the Brumbies in Wagga Wagga, in New South Wales, on January 31 and then the Rebels in Melbourne on February 7.

The Super rugby competition starts the following week but the Highlanders have a bye in the first round.

They have arranged to play a game against a New Zealand Barbarians team at Forsyth Barr Stadium on February 13.

The Highlanders will then play the Crusaders in their first match of the season at Forsyth Barr Stadium on February 21.

They will meet the Crusaders for a third time in Christchurch on April 11, the first game after the Highlanders have their second bye.

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