And most importantly for the southern franchise, no new injury headaches materialised after the game.
The red-and-black franchise ran out a comfortable 40-21 winner in the end, after the game was locked up 14-14 at the break.
The Crusaders had the majority of possession and territory in the second half and eventually pulled away as it managed to get past a tiring Highlanders defence.
There were a few too many errors from the Highlanders at times - the lost lineout, spilt ball and poor kick chase - and that is going to be the difference between success and failure this season.
It could be excused though for this was a traditional pre-season match - plenty of cross field running, balls not quite going where they were intended and some wayward kicking.
Best for the Highlanders was loose forward Adam Thomson who played a full game on the blindside flank. He also had the captaincy after Nick Crosswell cried off with a calf injury before the match.
Kade Poki looked dangerous on the left wing while Robbie Robinson did little wrong in the No 10 jersey.
The Highlanders scrum was under pressure throughout the game, while in the lineout it failed to get clean ball at times.
Hooker Jason Rutledge ran himself hard and prop Chris King was lively around the paddock in the second half.
Both sides had a reasonably tight defence with the Highlanders' two tries in the first half coming from long range.
Ben Smith sprinted 70m after Crusaders lock Brad Thorn spilt the ball allowing the Otago fullback to scurry away. He in-passed for winger James Paterson to score.
Poki then made a fine, weaving run over 60m before he was lowered near the tryline and Robinson wriggled over the line from the ensuring breakdown.
The Crusaders pulled out to a 28-14 lead after 15 minutes of the second half, through tries to Robbie Fruean and Kieran Read.
However, after a sustained period on attack, Smith went over on the blindside for the homeside.
The Crusaders though did not panic - they never seem to know how - and tries by Matt Todd and Adam Whitelock sealed victory.
The main worry for the Crusaders was the loss of winger Zac Guildford who pulled his hamstring halfway through the second half, and immediately left the field.
But they still looked the polished unit.
That is what the Highlanders need to do - do those simple things well.
It really is that simple.
SUPER 15 PRE-SEASON
- The scores
• Crusaders 40
George Whitelock, Zac Guildford, Robbie Fruean, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Adam Whitelock tries. Dan Carter 4 con, Mathew Berquist con
• Highlanders 21
James Paterson, Robbie Robinson, Ben Smith tries, Robinson 3 conHalftime: 14-14.
• Crowd: 4000
