Crusaders fans will be happiest after pre-season match against Highlanders in Timaru

Friday, 30 January 2026

Crusaders supporters Carole Corby, left, and Ali Senior. They travelled to Timaru from Christchurch on the Crusaders Supporters Train for the match against the Highlanders at Fraser Park.

Crusaders fans, young and old, should have gone home happy following a pre-season win over the Highlanders at a sold out Fraser Park in Timaru on Friday.

Long-time Crusaders fans Ali Senior and Carole Corby were among those who made the trip down from Christchurch, and the main thing they wanted was a win which they said would cap a fantastic day.

Senior and Corby were among the 120 passengers on The Mainlander’s sold out Crusaders Supporters Train from Christchurch to Timaru.

The return rail trip included match day tickets, and a licensed bar aboard the train.

Rugby fans aboard the Cruasders train as it left Timaru after the pre-season match against the Highlanders on Friday.

“It's been absolutely fantastic so far … really, really good,” Senior said as she boarded a bus headed to Fraser Park from the railway station.

Both were “hardcore” Crusaders fans, with Corby saying she had been following the team 'from day dot'.

“We are looking forward to a win, it's a nice lovely day, the trip down has been brilliant, the train trip was fantastic,” Corby said.

Crusaders loose forward Oli Mathis leaves Highlanders wing Caleb Tangitau sprawling as he makes a break during the pre-season match at Fraser Park in Timaru.

For the record the Crusaders won 33-10, scoring five tries to two, and leading 28-5 at halftime.

Both teams revelled in the perfect conditions in a match that was the biggest at the venue since it was reopened by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in 2024 after undergoing an $8 million redevelopment.

While current All Blacks from both camps weren’t allowed to play in the match, several were involved in publicity appearances around Timaru including Will Jordan, Fletcher Newell, Tamaiti Williams and George Bower.

Former All Blacks Angus Ta’avao, Ethan Blackadder and Braydon Ennor did make appearances as both camps brought more than 30 players each, and changed starting lineups at halftime.

The Crusaders will launch the defence of their Super Rugby Pacific title against the Highlanders in Dunedin on February 13. The 2026 championship marks 30 years since Super Rugby began.

The Crusaders score in the corner in front of a capacity crowd during the pre-season match.

Another feature of Friday's game was the availability of the new Canterbury lamb Crusaders pie, from Gerry’s Bakery in Christchurch, the owner of Great Southern Pies.

Canterbury lamb was a landslide winner of the poll of fans to be region's rugby pie after the company listed new flavours such as creamy pepper steak, venison and red wine, brisket, smoked cheddar and jalapeño, and Canterbury lamb.

The 220g pie contains lamb shoulder and leg, kūmara, and capsicum, with a tomato-based gravy and is expected to cost around $10 on match days, or $6 at supermarkets.