Crusaders down Highlanders in Super Rugby

All Blacks winger Sevu Reece scored two first-half tries and fullback Will Jordan added a match-winner in the second half as the Crusaders beat the Highlanders 34-19 in their Super Rugby Pacific clash in Dunedin.

Friday night's derby match between teams from New Zealand's South Island was played with typical frenetic energy and featured five lead changes.

The outcome was in doubt until the 66th minute when Jordan waded through two tackles to finish a brilliant movement by the Crusaders.

The move was begun by winger Leicester Fainga'anuku, who had scored three tries in the Crusaders' 42-32 first-round win over the Hurricanes.

Fainga'anuku's pass out of the back of the hand put winger George Bridge into space and he connected with his All Blacks teammate Jordan for the decisive try.

The Highlanders led 13-0 after 14 minutes and stuck with the Crusaders through a series of lead changes.

But Jordan's try gave the 11-time champions their first decisive lead at eight points and the Crusaders made the win safe with a further try to replacement Tamati Williams three minutes before the end.

"I think the Highlanders -- we knew their game plan -- wanted to put the ball in behind us and really pressure the breakdown," Crusaders captain Scott Barrett said.

"Probably in the first half they had the better of that and probably frustrated us a little bit.

"I think we adapted and actually put the ball in behind them, turned their big boys around and forced their back three into some decisions."

The Highlanders made a strong start, taking the lead with a penalty to flyhalf Mitchell Hunt after five minutes then rocking the Crusaders with a try to Sam Gilbert who came off his wing and crashed through the Crusaders' midfield defence to score