Tries from Highlanders Billy Harmon, Michael Collins and Connor Garden-Bachop handed the Crusaders their first defeat of the Super Rugby Aotearoa season on Friday as the visitors claimed a surprise 33-12 victory in Christchurch.

Mitch Hunt impressed throughout, kicking 18 points as the Highlanders moved off the bottom of the standings and into third place with only their second win so far this season.

The Crusaders, who still lead the standings after five games, went into the match off the back a bye week and failed to click throughout the 80 minutes.

Two successful penalties from Hunt gave the visitors a 6-0 lead inside the first 19 minutes, with Harmon adding a try six minutes later. Pari Pari Parkinson was stopped just short of the try line but scrumhalf Folau Fakatava moved the ball wide for Harmon to drive over.

Hunt continued to rack up the points with a conversion and another penalty as Tony Brown's side took a commanding lead only for the Crusaders to edge their way back into the game in the dying moments of the half.

With the hooter having sounded for the completion of the first 40 minutes, the Crusaders kept the ball alive until Codie Taylor smuggled his way over the line to reduce the deficit to 16-7 at the break.

The Crusaders were lifted by Taylor's try, but dogged defensive work by the Highlanders kept the home side at bay as the home side made a bright start to the second period.

The Highlanders gained some breathing space when Hunt added his fourth penalty and centre Collins scored his try 22 minutes from time after a Will Jordan miss-kick gifted possession to Otago close to the Crusaders' line.

David Havili reduced the deficit 11 minutes from time for the Crusaders but, with Richie Mo'unga missing the conversion, Canterbury's hopes of a comeback fizzled out and Garden-Bachop's late try sealed the Highlanders' win.