Crusaders v Highlanders: Johnny Lee scores double on debut as Crusaders get back to winning ways

Johnny Lee scored a double in his first Super Rugby appearance as the Crusaders beat the Highlanders. Photo / Photosport

Crusaders 29

Highlanders 18

The Crusaders’ 2026 season has been a spectacle.

Coming into the fifth-round clash with the Highlanders in Christchurch, the defending champions had their backs against the wall.

With just one win, the Crusaders had largely struggled across the park. Their win over the Chiefs was clinical; they impressed at the breakdown while their attack flowed. But that was a massive outlier in an otherwise disappointing season.

But against their Southern rivals on Saturday night, the perennial contenders showed some fight.

The Crusaders overcame a halftime deficit to claim a 29-18 win, with rookie openside flanker Johnny Lee scoring a second-half double in his first Super Rugby appearance.

“I’m proud,” Crusaders stand-in captain Will Jordan told Sky Sport.

“I loved that stuff at the end there, defending our line against a ‘Landers side that’s giving us everything. It means a lot to win in front of our people. It was a huge game for us and pleased to be able to deliver.”

But it was their ability to defend with men in the sin bin that coach Rob Penney would be most pleased with; though the fact they spent almost half of the game with one fewer player on the field will be an area of concern.

Hooker Codie Taylor, prop Finlay Brewis and winger Chay Fihaki all spent time off the field during the match, with discipline putting pressure on the hosts who really needed a win to turn their season around.

There could be a few additions to the casualty ward around the competition after the game. Crusaders captain David Havili limped off in the first half, while Highlanders locks Mitch Dunshea and Tomas Lavanini were both also out of the game before halftime.

The Crusaders looked good early in the match. The return of fullback Will Jordan was felt almost immediately as he left winger Jona Nareki in his wake with some nice footwork before powering through a couple of defenders for the first try.

The Highlanders countered with a one-two punch of long-range tries. First, after earning a free kick from the Crusaders’ scrum feed, the Highlanders took off early as the hosts were appealing to the referees; midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai linking up with winger Caleb Tangitau, who put centre Tanielu Tele’a over.

Soon after, prop Angus Ta’avao split some average Crusaders defence to put fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens over.

A try late in the half to prop Fletcher Newell kept the Crusaders in touching distance, but it was the Highlanders who led at the break.

In the second half, the Crusaders only allowed a penalty; Lee’s double lifting them to their second win of the season and one that will give them something to build on moving forward.

Crusaders 29 (Johnny Lee 2, Will Jordan, Fletcher Newell tries; Rivez Reihana 3 cons, pen)

Highlanders 18 (Tanielu Tele’a, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens tries; Cam Millar con, 2 pens)

HT: 12-15