Highlanders centre Jason Emery scores despite David Havili's best effort to stop him in their friendly game in Oamaru.

The Highlanders didn't make the Crusaders too welcome in their Super Rugby friendly in Oamaru, winning 40-12.

The Highlanders ran in six tries to two in a excellent performance in front of around 3200 people on a damp Whitestone Contracting Stadium surface.

The Crusaders were keen to play a high speed game earlier, but conditions and a tough Highlanders defence made it difficult and as the game wore on the Highlanders took control.

JOHN BISSET/FAIRFAX NZ Rob Thompson puts boot to ball for the Highlanders.

The Highlanders drew first blood after 11 minutes when second five-eighth Rob Thompson fended off his opposite to go in under the posts from a 5m scrum, giving Marty Banks the simplest conversion.

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JOHN BISSET/FAIRFAX NZ Kieran Fonotia of the Crusaders slips the ball through under pressure from Highlanders Tei Walden, left, and Jack Wilson.

The Highlanders got their first real opportunity after Crusaders fullback Marty McKenzie had a kick charged down on halfway and the southerners pounced.

Midway through the half open side flanker Matt Todd got Crusaders level when he took a quick tap from 5m out and burrowed his way over adjacent the upright and Richie Mo'unga added the extras.

The Crusaders' field position came from a superb 30m run by left wing Nemani Nadolo, who brushed of Highlanders defenders off until he was pulled down at the 22m.

JOHN BISSET/FAIRFAX NZ The conditions made it tough to play fast, attacking rugby.

The Highlanders went straight back on attack after another McKenzie error gave them the ball back and centre Jason Emery, back in the blue jersey for the first time since his red card against the Sharks, forced his way over from close range.

Banks' conversion gave the Highlanders a 14-7 lead with 10 minutes left in the half.

The second half saw a raft of substitutions from both sides, with the Highlanders making five and Crusaders three, and they rolled on throughout the second half.

Former New Zealand under-20s centre Jack Goodhue, who has spent a year overcoming a serious knee injuries, got his first opportunity for the Crusaders while lock Tom Franklin, released from the All Blacks squad, came on for the Highlanders.

It didn't stop the Highlanders' momentum with left wing Ryan Tongia slicing through to score early and Banks had another handy conversion to give them a 14-point advantage.

Midway through the half the Highlanders were in again after an excellent break from Thompson.

Wing Jack Wilson came infield to back up and halfback Te Aihe Toms scored.

Banks made it four from four to take the Highlanders out to a 28-7 lead.

The Crusaders however struck back almost immediately with a try to substitute halfback Mitchell Hunt but Nadolo missed the conversion.

With the game opening up Fa'asoi Fuatai scored wide out after Thompson made another good break in an earlier phase to make it 33-12.

The Highlanders put the icing on the cake with a late converted try to replacement first five-eighth Fletcher Smith.

For the Highlanders, Luke Whitelock had a strong first half along while Banks directed things very well from first five-eighth in a strong all round performance.

The midfield of Thompson and Emery also impressed with excellent games.

The Crusaders' best was No 8 Jordan Taufua.

Nadolo looked dangerous with the ball in hand, but he was exposed a couple of times in defence.

The Crusaders, who sit atop the New Zealand conference and overall standings, next outing is a against the Chiefs on July 1.

With three rounds remaining in the regular season the Highlanders are fourth in the New Zealand conference on 38 points, seven points adrift of the Crusaders.

The Highlanders face the Kings in South Africa on July 2 before heading to Argentina to take on the Jaguares.

Highlanders 40 (Rob Thompson, Jason Emery, Ryan Tongia, Te Aihe Toms, Fa'asoi Fuatai, Fletcher Smith try, Marty Banks 4 con, Smith con) Crusaders 12 (Nemani Nadolo, Mitchell Hunt try, Richie Mo'unga con). HT: 14-7.

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