The Crusaders were without players of the pedigree of Richie McCaw (resting), Corey Flynn (ankle), Wyatt Crockett (ankle) and Chris Jack (wrist), as well as Ryan Crotty (concussion) and Kade Poki (knee) for this opening round match. But the manner of the bonus-point win they crafted tonight -- four tries to two -- meant that there is an enviable depth to their squad this season.
The Crusaders were into their groove from the kickoff and it was one-way traffic into the Highlanders' half for the first 20 minutes or so.
With Dan Carter back in harness after missing last season serving his sabbatical, the Crusaders' backline looked as polished as ever despite the presence of a couple of new faces in ex-Hurricanes Robert Fruean and Zac Guildford.
But despite conceding territorial superiority, the Highlanders, who had beaten the Crusaders the last two times the sides met, were able to withstand wave after wave of attacks.
Carter missed an early penalty but made no mistake with his second attempt in the 13th minute to give his side a deserved lead.
The Highlanders survived a tighthead from a close in scrum but their defence finally buckled under the weight of a series of rushes by the Crusaders pack.
Haflback Andy Ellis was the scorer, burrowing over after taking the ball from a ruck. Carter converted the 21st minute try.
But the Highlanders, with hooker Jason Rutlegde and locks Tom Donnelly and Josh Bekhuis leading the way, regained parity in the forwards exchanges and began to exert control for the rest of the half.
Fullback Israel Dagg was sprightly from the back and his incisive running should have been rewarded with a try but his off laod to wing James Paterson went astray.
First five-eighth Matt Berquist missed his chance to post 50 points for his franchise when he come off with an ankle problem just before halftime, giving Michael Hobbs his Highlanders debut.
Hobbs, formerly with the Hurricanes and the Blues, had a dream debut for the Highlanders. Showing strength and determination he brought the the Highlanders back into the game by scoring two tries and converting both. He then kicked a 67th minute penalty to bring the Highlanders within one point of the Crusaders who had scored through a try to Jared Payned in the 42nd minute and another Carter penalty.
But a snap counter-attack in the 73rd minute started by substitute wing Sean Maitland and finished off by an industrious Guildford saw the Crusdaers stretch their lead out.
Maitland then showed his strength to scored the bonus-point try in the final minute after latching onto a misdirected Highlanders pass.
