Seta Tamanivalu scored a 78th-minute try as the Crusaders overturned a 21-point deficit to beat the Highlanders 30-27 in Dunedin on Saturday.
Trailing by 19 points with 25 minutes remaining, the Crusaders scored four unanswered tries to clinch a remarkable victory in a frenetic end to the game.
In a brutal and breathless encounter at Forsyth Barr, the Highlanders required a defensive masterclass to keep a dominant Crusaders outfit at bay in the opening quarter, before momentum swung in the hosts’ favour. But the Crusaders fought back late to sink the hosts.
The Crusaders started well, while the Highlanders suffered an injury setback as early as the first minute when flank James Lientjies sustained a dislocated shoulder. Debutant flyhalf Mitchell Hunt opened his Super Rugby account with a penalty for the Crusaders. But despite their dominance, they conceded 17 points before the break when Lima Sopoaga leveled the scores. Gareth Evans and Waisake Naholo then scored two brilliant tries for the Highlanders to lead 17-6 at half-time.
The hosts extended their advantage at the resumption. Initiated by a brilliant chip-kick over the top by Sopoaga, Malakai Fekitoa released Naholo for his second try of the match.
But that would prove to be their last points of the match. The Crusaders made a host of changes and it paid off. With an all-new front row, the visitors were awarded a penalty try, followed by scores by David Havili, Whetu Douglas and Tamanivalu to sway the result in the visitors' favour.
Highlanders – Tries: Gareth Evans, Waisake Naholo (2). Conversions: Lima Sopoaga (3). Penalties: Sopoaga (2).
Crusaders – Tries: Penalty try, David Havili, Whetu Douglas, Seta Tamanivalu. Conversions: Automatic conversion, Marty McKenzie. Penalties: Mitchell Hunt (2).
Highlanders – 15 Richard Buckman, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Rob Thompson, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Liam Squire, 7 James Lentjes, 6 Elliot Dixon (captain), 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Siosuia Halanukonuka, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Subs: 16 Adrian Smith, 17 Craig Millar, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Joe Wheeler, 20 Gareth Evans, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Patrick Osborne.
Crusaders – 15 David Havili, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Seta Tamanivalu, 10 Mitchell Hunt, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Whetu Douglas, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.
Subs: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Jed Brown , 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Marty McKenzie, 23 George Bridge.
Photo: Dianne Manson/Getty Images
