A last-minute try by replacement wing Sean Maitland ensured the Crusaders started their Super 14 campaign with maximum points against the Highlanders at AMI Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday night.
The 32-17 result did not truly reflect the determined defensive effort by the Highlanders who closed to four points on 57 minutes after trailing 10-0 at half-time.
The Highlanders were seeking their third-successive win against the seven-time Super 14 champions and when replacement five-eighths Michael Hobbs scored his second try near the hour, the Crusaders were clearly rattled.
But new Crusaders wing Zac Guildford showed his class to score the Crusaders third try after 71 minutes and fellow wing, Maitland, who had a hand in that try, delivered the coup de grace in the last play.
The Crusaders from the start showed they wanted to keep the ball alive, the backs using long passes to try and create space.
But the scrums struck immediate problems, the Crusaders conceding a penalty at the first and the Highlanders at the second with first five-eighths Dan Carter missing the resulting penalty attempt from 36 metres after six minutes.
Given quality ball, the Crusaders were relentless but the Highlanders defence was equally defiant, the home team being held over the line after winning a tight-head after 12 minutes.
From the resulting five-metre scrum, the visitors were penalised and Carter opened the scoring with a penalty from 24m.
From the restart, the Crusaders stormed back on attack, Carter scything through but new recruit Guildford wasn't able to take a hard pass with the line looming.
Yet it was only a temporary reprieve for the Highlanders as the Crusaders forwards drove to the line in the 19th minute and halfback Andy Ellis burrowed across for the opening try.
Carter slotted the wide conversion to have the home team ahead 10-0.
Highlanders centre Jason Shoemark had the first attacking chance for his team from the restart, but couldn't haul in a bobbling ball.
The visitors had an opportunity to post points in the 24th minute, but Matt Berquist missed a penalty from 35m and close to the upright.
Highlanders flanker Adam Thomson thought he had scored after 27 minutes when the Crusaders botched a kick ahead, but the touch judge called the ball out despite the protestations of Highlanders captain Jimmy Cowan.
Fullback Israel Dagg went close for the Highlanders after 33 minutes, the final transfer to unmarked wing James Paterson being knocked down by a Crusaders arm.
The Highlanders maintained the pressure, forcing two 5m scrums, but a crunching Carter tackle on opposite Berquist stifled the advance.
Although the Highlanders spent most of the last 13 minutes inside the Crusaders half, they were kept scoreless, the home team taking a 10-0 lead into the break.
A kick-out on the full was a bad way for the Highlanders to start the second half and No.8 Thomas Waldrom almost made them pay after a 25m run nearly took him to the line.
But wing Jared Payne made no mistake soon after when a ball bounced forward off his knee and he won the race to the corner although Carter missed the conversion.
The Highlanders replied immediately, Hobbs being driven over by two team-mates after he and wing Ben Smith combined to make inroads. Hobbs converted to have his team trailing 15-7.
Carter extended the lead to 11 points with a 38m penalty after 52 minutes, but that only