Missed kick leaves H'landers & 'Saders deadlocked

Both teams scored three tries and two conversions each, but it was a later try from the Crusaders that turned the match into a draw.

It was the Highlanders' second pre-season game in five days, after going down 38-45 to French glamour club Racing 92 in Hong Kong.

Rain just before kickoff turned the hard ground into a slippery nightmare for both teams as they struggled to hold onto the ball and keep their footing.

Highlanders inside centre Tei Walden opened the scoring after 10 minutes.

Just after the half-hour mark Crusaders wing Sione Fifita scored, with the Mo'unga adding the extras to give the Crusaders a 7-5 half-time lead.

The Highlanders scored two second half tries before the Crusaders did the same.

Big wing Nemani Nadolo scored for the Crusaders with 10 minutes to play and much to the delight of the Southland crowd flank Tim Boys scored in the dying stages to lock the score up at 19-19.

Mo'unga had the opportunity take a win with a conversion wide out in the last play of the game but missed.

The Highlanders' third and final pre-season fixture is against the Waratahs in Queenstown on February 19.

They will open their season against the Blues in Auckland on February 26.

The Crusaders, who open their Super Rugby campaign against the Chiefs in Christchurch on February 27, play their last pre-season outing against the Hurricanes in Blenheim on Friday, February 19.

Scorers:

For the Highlanders:

Tries: Walden, Fekitoa, Osborne

Cons: Banks, Sopoaga

For the Crusaders:

Tries: Fifita, Nadolo, Boys

Cons: Mo'unga, Nadolo

Teams

Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 George Bridge, 13 Sean Wainui, 12 Kieron Fonotia, 11 Sione Fifita, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Tim Boys, 6 Jimmy Tupou, 5 Samuel Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Mike Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.  

Replacements – from: Ged Robinson, Wyatt Crockett, Oliver Jager, Luke Romano, Mitchell Dunshea, Reed Prinsep, Leon Fukofuka, Ben Volavola, Marty McKenzie, Jone Macilai, Mitchell Hunt, Nemani Nadolo.

Highlanders: 15 Matt Faddes, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Marty Banks, 9 Josh Renton, 8 Luke Whitelock (captain), 7 James Lentjes, 6 Gareth Evans, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Mark Reddish, 3 Siosiua Halanukonuka, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Brendon Edmonds.

Replacements – from: Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Ross Geldenhuys, Joe Wheeler, Sio Tomkinson, Aaron Smith, Liam Squire, Jason Emery, Ryan Tongia, Lima Sopoaga, Elliot Dixon, Shane Christie, Jackson Hemopo.

Referee: Jamie Nutbrown