Highlanders, Crusaders prepare for final phase
The match will be vital preparation for both teams heading into the critical final three rounds of the Super Rugby competition.
The Highlanders will depart on its road trip to South Africa to take on the Kings and then on to play the Jaguares in Argentina before returning to Dunedin to play the Chiefs.
Highlanders head coach, Jamie Joseph, knows the benefit of game time for his players: "To have a game of this calibre in the June break is really important to our preparation, a few of the guys have played some club rugby but it's good to get the available players back into camp and get a bit of buzz going again," he said
"Obviously with All Blacks away and Paddy [Osborne] and Fumi [Tanaka] with Fiji and Japan we can get some good field time under the belt for the whole squad before we jump on the plane for Africa."
North Otago CEO, Colin Jackson, said the town is looking forward to the game.
"To have two quality sides like the Highlanders and Crusaders playing in Oamaru is great for our local rugby fraternity and the wider community," said Jackson. "It's a real celebration of South Island rugby."
