Time off now as one of the Highlanders players is being attended to after a clash of heads.

The TMO being called up now to view a suspected shoulder charge. The TMO confirms it and Sopoaga is on the naughty chair for the next ten minutes. Not ideal for the Highlanders as the playmaker has been pivotal to the success of his side

Late Shoulder Charge

In true Crusaders fashion , they strike back with a devastating counter attack. Colin Slade hit the gap and swung it wide out to Nandolo who draws two defenders and pops the pass out the back door where Todd is in support and goes over for the first try of the match.

Sopoaga makes no mistake and the Highlanders lead

Highlanders go short side with Naholo but the Crusaders defense stand strong and get the turn over from where they clear their lines. Highlanders now with an attacking line out, resulting in the Crusaders being penalized for going in on the side of the ruck. Sopoaga sets himself for his first kick at goal

Both packs looking solid but, the scrum will be reset as they try again to get the set piece right

The Crusaders gather the kick ahead from the Highlanders and spread it wide. What looks like a promising attack is halted as the referee calls them back for a forward pass. Scrum time and the highlanders to feed inside the Crusaders half with some attacking options to choose from

Owen Franks leads out the Crusaders on his 100th Super Rugby match to an eruption of crowd applause. Well done to the burly front rower

The Crusaders have won the last 6 times these two sides have met and the Highlanders last won in Christchurch was in 2008.
The Highlanders have not had a happy time at this venue with their last 3 games conceding 109 points and only scoring 34.