Tries from Codie Taylor, Bryn Hall, Sevu Reece and Brodie McAlister earned the reigning champions their first four points of the season in front of a noisy crowd at the Otago Stadium.

The Crusaders started at a blistering pace and were soon two tries to the good after hooker Taylor raced 40 metres to score and scrumhalf Hall grounded a Reece crosskick following a sweeping move from a lineout.

The Highlanders were trying to get the catch-and-drive going with little success but finally hit back with two tries after flanker Ethan Blackadder was shown a yellow card for persistent offending in defence by the Crusaders.

Flanker Shannon Frizell crossed from close range from a smart Aaron Smith pass and winger Connor Garden-Bachop finished off a slick set move four minutes before the break.

Mitch Hunt missed both conversions to send the Highlanders into halftime 14-10 down but he made no mistake with a penalty three minutes after the restart to reduce the deficit to one point.

The Crusaders looked irresistible when they managed to keep the ball in hand, however, and All Blacks winger Reece extended the lead with a brilliant finish in the corner five minutes later.

The Highlanders kept hammering away at the visitors' line as they sought a first victory in the last seven South Island derbies and were unfortunate to have a try called back for a knock-on just after the hour mark.

Seven minutes from time, however, the Crusaders showed the Highlanders how to execute the rolling maul and replacement hooker McAlister grounded the ball to put the match beyond the home side.

The five-team domestic tournament was introduced last year when travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic put paid to the intercontinental Super Rugby competition.

Australian Associated Press