Crusaders hold on in Dunedin
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The Crusaders held on for a tough 26-20 victory over the Highlanders at the Forsyth-Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday.
The seven-time champions built up a healthy 23-7 lead in the second half, and the home side fought back well but fell just short in the end and had to settle for a single bonus point to kick their season off after their bye last week.
Both teams signalled their intention to run the ball early on, but battled to find the finishing touch with a number of basic errors on either side.
The deadlock was broken when Colin Slade slotted a penalty, but the Highlanders crossed the whitewash soon afterwards with Aaron Smith getting over from close range to put them 7-3 up. 
The Crusaders launched a period of sustained pressure in response, and after Slade hit the upright with another penalty attempt they were finally rewarded as Scott Barrett forced his way over.
The Highlanders responded as prop Ross Geldenhuys got on the end of an impressive attacking movement, but it was called back for a forward pass and it would be the visitors to score next instead as Slade landed his second penalty and wing Johnny McNicholl scored their second try to send them into the half-time break with a 20-7 lead.
Another Slade penalty in the second half seemed to have put the game beyond the home side, but outside centre Malakai Fekitoa gave them some hope when he burst through for a try with 20 minutes left to play.
There was no doubt that the Highlanders were looking more potent on attack in the final stages, and a Lima Sopoaga penalty brought them back within striking range with just seven minutes to play.
However, a late Slade penalty was enough to secure the Crusaders' first victory of the season, and the Highlanders had to be content with a single bonus point through another Sopoaga penalty on the hooter.
"It was a true southern derby, both teams chucked plenty at it and we were happy to come away with it in the end," Crusaders captain Matt Todd said.
"In the second half we got down their end but didn't capitalise as much as we should. We knew the Highlanders would come back and they certainly did. Credit to our boys who dug deep," he added.
Man of the match: Colin Slade showed good composure against his old side to control the game and guide the Crusaders to their first win of the season.
The scorers:
For the Highlanders:
Tries: A Smith, Fekitoa
Cons: Sopoaga 2
Pens: Sopoaga 2
For the Crusaders:
Tries: Barrett, McNicholl
Cons: Slade 2
Pens: Slade 4
Teams:
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Jason Emery, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu (captain), 7 John Hardie, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Tom Franklin, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Josh Hohneck.
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Kane Hames, 18 Ma'afu Fia, 19 Mark Reddish, 20 Dan Pryor, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Trent Renata, 23 Marty Banks.
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Robbie Fruean, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Johnny McNicholl, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Matt Todd (captain), 6 Richie McCaw, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Dominic Bird, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Tom Taylor, 23 Nafi Tuitavake.
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri (New Zealand), Mike Lash (New Zealand)
TMO: Chris Wratt (New Zealand)
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