Four down and possibly a fifth match to come between the Crusaders and Highlanders this year.

You'd think the teams would be sick of the sight of each other, but on the back of the Highlanders' 33-12 win in Timaru in a friendly on Thursday, Highlanders coach Tony Brown could only smile when discussing the prospect of a sudden death derby.

Having lost a pre-season match and two heart-breakers during the regular season to the unbeaten Crusaders, his side dusted off the cobwebs in style by outscoring the home team by five tries to two in front of about 4500 people at Alpine Energy Stadium.

JOHN BISSET/FAIRFAX NZ Highlanders fullback Josh Ioane finishes off a 90m intercept try against the Crusaders.

The final round of regular season action is scheduled next weekend, before the playoffs kickoff and things get serious.

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Depending whether the Crusaders finish first or second and the Highlanders nab seventh or eighth, a quarterfinal clash in Christchurch on July 22 is a real possibility.

JOHN BISSET/FAIRFAX NZ Highlanders loose forward Gareth Evans dives to keep a ball in play against the Crusaders in Timaru on Thursday.

Should the tasty match-up eventuate in the quarterfinals or beyond, Brown felt Thursday's match against the team which has pipped the Highlanders at the death twice this season was a blessing.

"They're obviously the best team in the competition at the moment," Brown said. "So just to get another hit out against them and just to try and work out what makes them tick and where we can be better against them if we do end up playing them in the playoffs.

"I'm sure they would have found out a few things about us, as well."

JOHN BISSET/FAIRFAX NZ Highlanders loose forward Dan Pryor, in his return from injury, loses the ball diving for a try against the Crusaders in Timaru on Thursday. Crusader David Havili is the tackler.

The Crusaders jumped out to an early 7-0 lead courtesy of outstanding fullback David Havili, who took a short ball and dotted down under the sticks.

However, that was about as good as it got for the home side, who were hammered by referee Jamie Nutbrown and let themselves down with poor execution inside the opposition 22m.

Highlighted by a long-range try by speedster Gavin Stark, the Highlanders led 19-7 at halftime, before both teams started the second spell by unloading most of their extended benchs.

While the break appeared to have added a spark to the home side, a promising raid inside the Highlanders' redzone ended with fullback Josh Ioane picking off a pass and taking it 90m the other way.

Highlanders first-five eighth Fletcher Smith capped the convincing and deserved win by scoring his team's fifth try after the final hooter.

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson rued his team's high error count, and also has a couple of injured players to monitor.

Lock Mitchell Dunshea and wing Manasa Mataele both left the field in the first half with apparent leg injuries, while utility Marty McKenzie didn't return after leaving the field with a head knock early in the second spell.

Speaking after the match, Robertson said it was too early to know the extent of any of the injuries.

Mataele's injury opened the door for fellow Fijian Jone Macilai to return from a lengthy knee injury, with the flyer getting plenty of touches in his first game for the Crusaders this year.

"We gave a lot of guys opportunities, some took them," Robertson said. "For us, [the game] just gives us clarity where we need to be better. Obviously the Highlanders were very good at stopping our attack."

Highlanders 33 (Tevita Li, Gavin Stark, Ash Dixon, Josh Ioane, Fletcher Smith tries; Smith 4 con)

Crusaders 12 (David Havili, Chris Gawler tries; Mitch Hunt 1 con) HT: 19-7