Super Rugby Aotearoa: Champions Crusaders off to bonus point flyer

TOM COVENTRY'S Blues and reigning champions Crusaders made strong starts to their Super Rugby Aotearoa campaigns with bonus point, away victories.

The opening round was full of milestones as Highlanders co-captain Ash Dixon celebrated his 100th game for the club and Tony Brown took charge of the Dunedin franchise for the first time, while Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea played his 100th Super Rugby game.

Highlanders welcomed in the new season by performing the Hautoa Kia Toa, which is the home side's new haka that fittingly symbolises fearlessness, bravery and camaraderie in the heat of the battle.

But they were up against it from the start in their 13-26 defeat to the Crusaders, who began with two scintillating tries from Codie Taylor and Bryn Hall inside the opening quarter, both converted.

Cheered on by their boisterous home crowd, Highlanders found their way back into the contest with a try from close range by Shannon Frizzell, after flanker Ethan Blackadder was yellow-carded for repeated offside offences by the Crusaders.

Connor Garden-Bachop then finished a beautiful backline move, to draw the home side within four points at the halfway point.

A sensational score by Crusaders winger Sevu Reece followed as the All Blacks flyer showcased fancy footwork to score a decisive try in the corner.

Josh Ioane responded by producing a precise grubber kick to allow Patelesio Tomkinson to touchdown, but the TMO decided a knock on had occurred a few phases earlier and overturned the try.

Highlanders repeatedly turned down kickable three-point shots in favour of their unsuccessful driving maul which was repeatedly defended by Crusaders' experienced pack.

Substitute Brodie McCallister secured the bonus point win with a converted try from a driving maul.

Blues ran out 31-16 winners at the Hurricanes at Sky Stadium.

The Blues made a superb start, scoring after just four minutes with a converted try by Dalton Papalii. However, the home side responded by showcasing their ability to use quick ball to expose Blues' defence, with Asafo Aumua going over for an unconverted score in the corner.

Hurricanes took the lead at the halfway mark, through Jordie Barrett who kicked wide-angle penalties from 48 and 53 metres out.

But the Blues retook the lead in the second half through converted tries from Caleb Clarke and Stephen Perofeta. In response, Aumua went over for his second try, peeling off the side of a driving maul with impressive pace from the front rower.

Barrett's conversion appeared to have curved inside the top of the posts, but the officials' flags stayed down.

Otere Black's penalty and Reiko Ioane's breakaway converted try secured the bonus point win.