 The Highlanders opened their 2000 season with a 50 – 13 victory over the Queensland Reds at Carisbrook . They won their next three matches , against the Sharks , Hurricanes and Cats . However they then lost their following three ; against the Crusaders , Brumbies , and Blues . They played the Crusaders at Jade Stadium in their semi @-@ final , and were defeated 37 – 15 after Marika Vunibaka scored two tries for the Crusaders in the last 20 minutes . The next season opened with a 23 – 8 victory over the Blues . Their 39 – 20 defeat of the Waratahs at Carisbrook on 7 April was the first defeat of New South Wales by an Otago @-@ based side since the Otago provincial team defeated New South Wales 5 – 0 in 1901 . The Highlanders narrowly lost to the Hurricanes in Napier 35 – 33 before defeating the Brumbies at Carisbrook on 20 April . Although the Highlanders went undefeated at home for a second consecutive season , they finished fifth with six wins that season . 
