The Highlanders gave it a good shot but came up well short against the Crusaders in Christchurch last night, going down 45-22 after being behind 25-17 at the break.
The visiting team gave it a decent effort and no-one could fault them for endeavour and fight.
But accuracy wins games and when playing a team like the Crusaders a side has to have an error rate in single figures. The Highlanders, sadly, didn’t.
There were just too many dropped balls and rushes of blood when calmness was needed.
The Highlanders once again did not have much ball at the right end of the field and as the game went down to the wire, the Highlanders persisted in handing the ball over through kicking.
Field position may be vital, but it means nothing when the side with the territory does not have that piece of pig leather.
The southern-based side defended well for most of the game and when it put it together on attack did look very dangerous.
In the end the score blew out and the home team ran away with the game. It found gaps on the inside channel and was able to free players on the outside.
The Highlanders got the score back to 32-22 five minutes into the second half, thanks to a Waisake Naholo pearler, but could get no closer as individual errors cost them.
The Crusaders were as solid as ever, although one must question their cynical tactics when under the shadow of their own posts.
With the win the Crusaders qualified top of the table and will have home advantage right through the playoffs.
Richie Mo’unga had an impressive match for the Crusaders and looked sharp in everything he did.
Highlanders No 8 Luke Whitelock was busy and flanker Liam Squire made his presence felt. Out the back, Ben Smith did well, while Rob Thompson ran hard when he got opportunities.
The Crusaders made a great start and had their first try in under three minutes. The home team rumbled the ball up and the Highlanders ran out of numbers, with left winger George Bridge going over in the corner.
The Highlanders immediately came back into the game, but as they are prone to do the Crusaders gave away penalties under their own posts.
The Crusaders broke out and a nice move off a lineout led to the Highlanders running out of numbers and fullback David Havili went over.
The Highlanders, though, started showing some real urgency at the breakdown and got some quick ball.
The side charged up the middle and a nice line from No 8 Whitelock led to a ball to prop Tyrel Lomax, who went over under the posts.
Highlanders captain Smith then scored a try after half an hour, making the most of a mismatch in the midfield.
Smith put Lima Sopoaga into the gap and he ran 50m before feeding Smith to go over.
But the Crusaders are never down and put a dagger in the heart of the Highlanders after the halftime hooter, with lock Scott Barrett going over after a break through the middle.
That, in the end, was a huge blow which the visiting side could not recover from.
• Andy Hunter has been appointed the manager of the Otago Mitre 10 Cup team.
Hunter, the principal of Balamcewen Intermediate, takes over from Coryn Huddy.
Huddy has pursued a business opportunity overseas.Hunter co-coached the Otago team in 2011 and has also coached the Kaikorai premier side.
Super Rugby
The scores
Crusadersn 45
George Bridge 2, David Havili, Scott Barrett, Richie Mo’unga, Mo’unga 4 con, 4 penalties
Highlanders 22
Tyrel Lomax, Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo tries; Lima Sopoaga 2 con, pen
Halftime: 25-17 Crusaders
Crowd: 18,000