Crusaders hold off Highlanders in scrappy Super Rugby clash

The Crusaders were far from their best but still did enough to hold on for a 17-14 Super Rugby Pacific win over the Highlanders in Christchurch.

The match was an unusual one in that while more than 30 points were scored in the first half, not a single point was added in the second, as both teams struggled with their rhythm and execution. The Highlanders won the territorial and possession battle, but couldn't translate it into points, allowing the Crusaders off the hook.

The @crusadersrugby hold on, just.#CRUvHIG pic.twitter.com/ooo7m2qtmu

The Highlanders opened the scoring after eight minutes when a short lineout caught the Crusaders napping. Andrew Makalio threw it to Shannon Frizell, who threw it back to the hooker, who barged over for the try amid the attention of several defenders.

The Crusaders looked to hit back when they won a scrum penalty and kicked for the corner. After driving it towards the line, the ball went out wide to David Havili, who chipped over the top and regathered before a quick recycle to Fletcher Newell saw the burly prop power over for the try.

An impressive Highlanders counter-attack soon took them back up to the Crusaders line, where they piled on the pressure thanks to a couple of penalty advantages. The try eventually arrived after a delayed little pop pass to Scott Gregory in the middle of the park saw the centre find the space to score.

The Crusaders reduced the deficit via a Richie Mo'unga penalty, and then took the lead when a lethal combination between their two centres saw Havili put Leicester Fainga'anuku into space for another try, as it finished 17-14 to the home side at the break.

There was a fairly lengthy delay at the start of the second half to deal with a couple of pitch