Cameron Millar has proven to be the hero for the Highlanders, kicking a clutch 78th-minute penalty to give the hosts a 25-23 win over the Crusaders in Dunedin.
Millar nailed the kick from 48 metres out after the 2025 champions were pinged for obstruction off a kick.
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They then survived a late Crusaders surge to delight the Forsyth Barr Stadium faithful and kick off 30 years of Super Rugby in style.
The first half was a dogged affair as the Highlanders put the pressure on early through the boot of Millar.
The Crusaders looked to start their title defence on a perfect note but couldn’t break down the hosts early, allowing winger Caleb Tangitau to produce some magic.
Tangitau, the breakout star in Dunedin last year, was unleashed by Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens off a lineout play and burned three defenders for the opening try of the season.
Not to be undone, Crusaders scrum half Noah Hotham got the visitors on the board after smartly spotting space down the short side and racing clear.
Two penalties either side of the half-time siren gave Rob Penney’s side the five point lead, only for the dangerous Highlanders backline to strike, led by Jonah Lowe.
Lowe broke the line in the 44th minute and set the platform for Angus Ta’avao to crash over in the first game for his new club.
He followed this up by finishing off a nice play that started when Jona Nareki broke clear and drew the fullback for Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, offloading back inside for his centre for the five-pointer.
Millar nailed the conversion to give them a 22-13 lead as Penney called on his All Blacks, Codie Taylor and Will Jordan, from the bench.
Jordan made an immediate impact with a darting run, but Nareki’s turnover maintained their advantage as the Crusaders applied the blowtorch.
The class of Jordan eventually proved too much, charging over with 20 minutes to go for his 48th try for the club and into third for most tries by the club.
The winger nearly scored an incredible try from his own line, breaking clear and nearly winning the race to his own ball.
Their relenting pressure eventually delivered the lead when Jordan was caught high, allowing replacement Taha Kemara to put them in front with nine to go.
But it was Millar who proved the hero, kicking the winner with 90 seconds to go to take down the defending champions.
