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Cape Town - The Highlanders overturned a 12-point deficit to beat the Crusaders 29-26 in their first pre-season outing in Timaru on Saturday.
According to the SA Rugby mag website, the Crusaders raced into a 12-0 lead courtesy of two quick tries, but the Highlanders then ran in four answered touchdowns to make it 24-12.
Things went from bad to worse for the Crusaders when scrumhalf Willi Heinz was stretchered off with a broken leg before new recruit Jone Macalai, who many had likened to Nemani Nadolo, departed with a suspected broken arm.
The Highlanders will travel to Australia for their final two pre-season games against the Brumbies and Rebels, while the Crusaders will finish their Super Rugby preparations against the Hurricanes and Reds respectively.
Scorers:
Crusaders
Tries: Mitchell Drummond, Johnny McNicholl, Reed Prinsep, Jordan Taufua
Conversions: Richie Mo'unga (3)
Highlanders
Tries: John Hardie, Ryan Tongia (2), Scott Eade, Elliot Dixon
Conversions: Lima Sopoaga, Hayden Parker
Teams:
Crusaders
15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Jone Macalai, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Nathaniel Apa, 11 Nafi Tuitavake, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Matt Todd (c), 6 Tom Sanders, 5 Jimmy Tupou, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Alex Hodgman
Substitutes: Ben Funnell, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Sione Faletau, Dominic Bird, Jordan Taufua, Billy Guyton, Robbie Fruean, Ged Robinson, Rob Thompson, Reed Prinsep, George Bridges, Michael Green, Willi Heinz, Milford Keresoma, Luke Romano, Jed Brown, Luteru Laulala
Highlanders
15 Kurt Baker, 14 Ryan Tongia, 13 Jason Emery, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Waisake Naholo, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Scott Eade, 8 Elliot Dixon, 7 John Hardie, 6 James Lentjies, 5 Mark Reddish, 4 Tom Franklin, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Josh Hohneck.
Substitutes: 16 Kane Hames, 17 Nasi Manu, 18 Pingi Ta'alapitaga, 19 Joe Latta, 20 Alex Ainley, 21 Liam Howley, 22 Hayden Parker, 23 Teihorangi Walden, 24 Trent Renata, 25 Sam Anderson Heather, 26 Michael Collins
