Landers start to click in second half

Highlanders halfback Nic Shearer moves the ball during his team’s preseason game against the Crusaders in Timaru yesterday. PHOTOS: KAYLA HODGE

You can never read too much into preseason.

So there should be no cause for alarm for Highlanders fans after their side lost 33-10 to the Crusaders in their opening preseason fixture at Fraser Park in Timaru yesterday.

The match attracted a bumper crowd of more than 3500 fans for what was the Highlanders’ first preseason loss since 2021.

While it was not the outcome they wanted, the big result was to come away relatively unscathed with no injuries.

"I'd say there'd be a few sore bodies — especially first game back — but as far as major injuries, I think we're pretty good," Highlanders assistant coach Ben Smith said.

Winger Caleb Tangitau was at his electric best — great signs for fans after he was sidelined by injury for the tail end of 2025 after a blockbusting start to his debut season with the Highlanders.

Preseason is always full of rust and is a chance for players to dust off the cobwebs and test new combinations.

The Highlanders were starved of the ball in the first half playing into a tough wind, and found themselves down 28-5 at halftime, in a game that was played across four quarters.

But they came out strongly in the second half, had a couple of narrow opportunities that they did not execute, but most importantly, stifled the Crusaders attack for long periods.

"In the second half we were able to ... I just think bring a bit more intent with what we’re doing, a bit more purpose with a lot of our carries, and a bit better at being able to play as a team to create opportunities," Smith said.

"We still missed some.

"We’ll look at those and we’ll review those and we’ll be better for next week and going into the competition."

The Highlanders scrum was pinged for collapsing early on.

Crusaders hooker Manumaua Letiu bustled over off the back of a rolling maul and Toby Bell brushed through some ordinary defence to finish off a well-worked team try to wrap up the opening quarter 14-0.

Letiu crashed over again to extend the Crusaders lead.

When the Highlanders kept the ball in hand, they looked good.

A bumper crowd of more than 3500 fans packed into Fraser Park in Timaru to watch the match.

They used the width of the field, recycling the ball through several hands before a cracking final pass put Tangitau into space down the sideline to score.

The Crusaders led 28-5 at halftime.

The Highlanders kept the Crusaders quieter in the second half, but big Crusaders lock Xavier Bell added to the scoresheet.

The Highlanders slipped off a tackle and Bell walked over another to crash over.

The Highlanders finally found some ball in the right area and opted for the corner.

The Crusaders gave away consecutive penalties as the Highlanders attack started to threaten. But Crusaders’ lock Jamie Hannah stole the ball at the lineout to extinguish the Highlanders attack.

Crusaders hooker Tomasi Maka had all the space to dart down the field, but dropped the ball cold and the Highlanders pounced.

First five Reesjan Pasitoa moved it to the right and put Tangitau back into space to finish.

It was a much better second half from the Highlanders, who will look to improve ahead of their final preseason game against Moana Pasifika in Queenstown on Friday.