The Crusaders ended their pre-season trial matches with a 40-21 victory over the Highlanders at Whitestone Contracting Stadium in Oamaru.

Final Score Crusaders 40 Highlanders 21

Scorers

Crusaders
Tries -George Whitelock, Zac Guildford, Robbie Fruean, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Adam Whitelock
Con – Dan Carter 4, Matt Berquist

Highlanders
Tries – James Paterson, Robbie Robinson, Ben Smith
Con – Robinson

Teams

Crusaders: Sean Maitland, Tom Marshall, Robbie Fruean, Adam Whitelock, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Chris Jack (captain), Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett.

Reserves: Francis Smith, Ben Franks, Luke Romano, Jonathan Poff, Kahn Fotuali’i, Matt Berquist, Tom Taylor, Willi Heinz, Matt Todd, Luke Whitelock, Nic Barrett, Andrew Olorenshaw, Brendon O’Connor, Tyler Bleyendaal.

Highlanders : Ben Smith, James Paterson, Siale Piutau, Matt Saunders, Kade Poki, Robbie Robinson, Jimmy Cowan, Elliot Dixon, Alando Soakai, Nick Crosswell (captain), Josh Bekhuis, Jarrad Hoeata, David Te Moana, Jason Rutledge, Bronson Murray.

Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Chris King, Joe Tuineau, John Hardie, Aaron Smith, Ben Atiga, Telusa Veainu, Adam Thomson.