The southern franchise went down 50-33 to the Crusaders in both sides’ first pre-season match of the season, in Darfield on Saturday.
The Crusaders led 26-14 at the break and were never headed in the second half.
Highlanders coach Tony Brown said his side did some things nicely and other things less so.
"The first 20-30 minutes we played pretty well and looked good. But then we started getting a bit tired and then they scored three tries in 10 minutes," he said.
"We created a lot of opportunities which was good, and our set piece went really well. The scrum and lineout performed well and we scored a nice rolling maul try at the end.
"But in defence we were a bit inaccurate at times. When we got tired we defended as individuals and got caught out."
Brown said overall it was a typical first-up pre-season game and was somewhere to start from. It was good for the players to get in a game situation and get some contact under their belts.
The temperature of about 28degC was tough for the Highlanders as the squad had been training in chillier conditions in Dunedin over the past couple of weeks.
Most disappointing was the knee injury to Pleasants-Tate.He was due to have it examined in the next few days and it was not known how serious it was, or for how long he would be out.
Coming on the back of the injury to Ash Dixon, who has a sore back and an uncertain future, the side has availability issues over hooker. All Black Liam Coltman and North Harbour rake Adrian Smith, who had been training with the side in all of the pre-season, will travel to the Brisbane tens this week.
Brown said debutants halfback Kayne Hammington, Smith, props Guy Millar and Siate Tokolahi had all played capably on Saturday.The side showed some nice touches on attack and the forwards were more than a match for the home team.
Following the tens tournament the team will play the Waratahs in Sydney on February 16, where it will front with a full-strength team, with all the All Blacks available.The side’s opening Super rugby match is against the Chiefs on February 24.
Super rugby pre-season
The scores
Crusaders 50
Manasa Mataele, George Bridge, Jack Goodhue, Bryn Hall, Seta Tamanivalu, Tim Bateman, Sean Wainui, Pari Pari Parkinson tries; Richie Mo’unga 3 con, Mitchell Hunt 2 con
Highlanders 33
Kayne Hammington, Tom Franklin, Tei Walden, Matt Faddes, Adrian Smith tries; Fletcher Smith 2 con, Marty Banks 2 conHalftime: 26-14