Highlanders vs Crusaders Prediction: No opening night issues for the champions
There's an all-Kiwi affair to kick off the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific as Highlanders host Crusaders in Dunedin on Friday (06:05 GMT, Sky Sports+).
Read on for my Highlanders vs Crusaders predictions, alongside team news and match odds.
Highlanders vs Crusaders Betting Tips
*odds correct at time of publication
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Highlanders are 19/10 to win, with Crusaders 4/9 and the draw 22/1.
The Handicap 3-Way mark is set at seven points, with Crusaders -7 available at 10/11.
Team News
Highlanders hand a debut to experienced prop Angus Ta'avao, who starts at tighthead following his move from Blues.
There's a Super Rugby debut for number eight Lucas Casey, while replacement back Reesjan Pasitoa is also in line for his top-level bow.
Co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai plays his 50th Super Rugby game.
For Crusaders, Finlay Brewis returns to start at loosehead prop. He missed the entire 2025 campaign after injuring his shoulder in a warm-up fixture.
Captain David Havili and Braydon Ennor are in the centres, meaning Leicester Fainga'anuku, who shone in the midfield for the All Blacks last autumn, lines up on the wing, although head coach Rob Penney says he will have licence to roam.
Crusaders to win by over 12 points @ 6/4
Crusaders have won five of their last six meetings with Highlanders, and previous round one history is also on their side.
This is the fifth time the two have met in the opening round, with the Canterbury outfit winning the previous four.
Highlanders ended 2025 with one win in their final 11 matches, and it remains to be seen whether they will be able to keep hold of coach Jamie Joseph, who is considered the leading contender to be the next All Blacks head coach after Scott Robertson's firing in January.
Robertson got the role on the strength of his work at Crusaders, and his successor, Penney, who took over in 2024 following 'Razor's' departure, has recovered from a slow start to restore the franchise's place as the top team in the competition.
They retain an ability to peak at the right time, but can also blow teams away, and a one-sided win for the visitors awaits.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Sevu Reece anytime tryscorer @ 5/6
Crusaders winger Sevu Reece scored eight tries in 2025, becoming the leading try scorer in Super Rugby history.
However, his inability to reproduce his form for the All Blacks remains a concern, and the 28-year-old needs a big year to win his place back ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Reece has a good record against Highlanders, scoring six tries in six appearances, including in the last meeting in April.
The Fiji-born flyer has been involved in 23 tries across his last 23 Super Rugby matches (16 tries, 7 try assists) and is tipped to cross again at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
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