The Highlanders, riding on the back of some explosive backs and plenty of gutsy, determined forward play, ran out convincing 34-26 winners over the Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium last night.
The five tries to two victory - the Crusaders scored a try after the fulltime hooter - was based on the speed and dash of the Highlanders backs, with centre Matt Faddes to the fore.
A year ago, Faddes was plodding away in club rugby. Last night he was the star of a game which crowded with All Blacks.
Two electric tries and some great work on defence came from the Balclutha man, while outside him, Waisake Naholo scored his second double in as many weeks.
Naholo really is a joy to watch.
He has the speed of an Olympic sprinter and can sniff a try from a mile away.
The Highlanders grabbed a bonus point with the win and it was sealed with 10 minutes to go, when replacement back Tei Walden fed a rampaging Liam Squire 10m out and the big man from Tasman could not be stopped.
Also impressive in the backs was captain Ben Smith, while Lima Sopoaga showed his class and kicked the goals that mattered in the second half.
Alex Ainley got through a power of work in the second row, while hooker Greg Pleasants-Tate was busy when he came on in the final minutes.
The Highlanders went into the break up 20-12 and early in the second half scored their fourth try when they moved the ball to the right.
Faddes cut inside, beat the last man and sped away from a covering Matt Todd to score.
The Crusaders, though, did not throw in the towel, and, aided by a yellow card on Joe Wheeler, struck back with a try to blindside flanker Jordan Taufua.
But the Highlanders managed to stay ahead and, riding on the back of the big crowd, got home.
The Highlanders made what is now becoming their traditional slow start.
The Crusaders found some holes in the home team's defence and were getting across the advantage line with ease.
After Sopoaga had slotted an early penalty, the Crusaders dominated the rest of the opening quarter.
Richie Mo'unga knocked over a couple of penalties.
Then Israel Dagg put through a beautiful chip kick and Kieran Read looked to have scored, but it was ruled he had lost the ball forward, which was a line call.
Two minutes later, the Crusaders had another try rubbed out when lock Luke Romano was ruled to have illegally burrowed his way over.
The Highlanders then finally got within sight of the Crusaders tryline.
Aaron Smith took a quick tap, and after the ball was moved around, Sopoaga put in a cross kick for Naholo to catch and score.
The points kept coming and Faddes then scored a great individual try for the Highlanders.
Receiving the ball 30m out, he went inside his marker and then burned off the defence to score.
Five minutes before halftime, Naholo was in again as the Crusaders ran out of numbers on their left and the big Fijian strolled in.
● In the curtain-raiser, Knox beat Selwyn 19-12.
Super rugby
The scores
Highlanders 34
Matt Faddes 2, Waisake Naholo 2, Liam Squire tries; Lima Sopoaga 3 con, pen
Crusaders 26
Jordan Taufua try, Israel Dagg tries; Richie Mo'unga 4 pen, 2 con
Halftime: 20-12 Highlanders
Crowd: 23,363
