By Roger Childs

Expect the unexpected

The first half featured some big plays from the home side, who effected crucial turnovers through Jack Taylor, Lucas Casey and Timoci Tavatavanawai to snuff out some excellent Crusaders’ chances close to the tryline. ==Jamie Wall RNZ

On each side of the Tasman Sea the first match of the 2026 saw an upset. Under the roof in Dunedin the reigning champions Crusaders were expected to comfortably beat the home side.  The Highlanders have been weakened by pre-season injuries to two of their stars – promising halfback Dylan Pledger and All Black lock forward Fabian Holland.

Meanwhile in Sydney the local Waratahs were expected to struggle against the Queensland Reds who headed them off comfortably in the 2025 competition. But buoyed on by an enthusiastic crowd in Sydney the home team thumped the visitors 36-12.

The Highlanders get a great start

The home side scored the first try after 14 minutes with Caleb Tangitau finishing off an excellent back movement in the right hand corner. Then they added two more tries in the first ten minutes of the second half. Angus Ta’avao crossed in the 43^rd minute and Jonah Lowe scored five minutes later after flowing backline passing and hard running.

The visitors could only manage two tries, but accurate goal kicking by Rivez Reihana had the Crusaders ahead 23-22 with two minutes to go. Then Australian referee Angus Gardiner awarded the Highlanders a penalty. It was wide out and 40 metres from the posts and to the delight of the 15,000 home fans Cameron Millar calmly slotted the ball between the uprights. It was close, but the Highlanders deserved their 25-23 victory.

The visitors were out-thought

The Crusaders made too many mistakes and dropped a lot of passes. They generally had the better of the scrums and lineouts, but kicked too much ball away and couldn’t penetrate the staunch Highlander defence.  Perhaps unwisely the visitors coach, Rob Penny, kept a number of his top players on the bench, and by the time they came on in the second half it was too late.

Basically, the home side showed more initiative and deserved their unexpected victory. The result will definitely help coach Jamie Joseph in his bid to lead the All Blacks in the next World Cup.