Close one: Bloemfontein clash
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A last-minute Chris Noakes penalty saw the Highlanders claim a fine 36-33 win over the Cheetahs on Saturday.
The replacement's successful 80-minute effort came following Sias Ebersohn missing a straightforward penalty from right in front.
And that uncharacteristic blunder saw the New Zealanders go up to the opposition half and when referee Marius Jonker blew, up stepped Noakes.
The win keeps the Highlanders five points behind conference leaders the Chiefs, with the third-place Crusaders, who play on Sunday, six behind.
Fresh from their bye week, the Cheetahs looked fit and raring to go from the outset and set about playing the visitors at their own, dynamic game.
With winger Willie le Roux regularly dropping in at first receiver and also Adriaan Strauss and Coenie Oosthuizen offering momentum with ball in-hand, Naka Drotske's side enjoyed most of the possession in the opening stages and put points on the board via the maturing Johann Goosen.
Their dominance was interrupted by a few passages of Highlanders ball, which saw back-row duo Adam Thomson and James Haskell combine on more than one occasion. Following a levelling penalty from Mike Delany, the Cheetahs were not to be denied retaking the lead when a series of passages led to an in-form Oosthuizen going over. Goosen's extras made it 10-3 to a home side.
Two yellow cards played a factor in the second quarter when first Andrew Hore was sent to the bin following several infringements from his side. But then with Goosen having added a further six points to the scoreline, flanker Haskell soon joined Hore after throwing a punch.
It was obvious that with their two-man advantage, the Cheetahs would be turning down shots at goal and instead look to take maximums against their now stretched opponents. And that is what they did as following sustained pressure, Andries Ferreira bustled over.
At half-time it was 23-9 to the men from Bloemfontein as the Highlanders had it all to do.
The Cheetahs came out in the second-half in Bloemfontein all guns blazing and almost scored immediately, but Springbok flanker Heinrich Brussow found himself held up.
Soon afterwards Goosen capped his good performance with a try form 60 metres out, scoring in the corner, but injuring his shoulder in the process. His replacement Ebersohn kicked the conversion superbly while Baby Bok Goosen left the action on a stretcher.
The Cheetahs lost huge momentum after Goosen departed and replacement Noakes scored under the uprights and converted to get the Highlanders back into the game.
The home side's defence started showing cracks and when replacement scrum-half Jimmy Cowan scored twice with fifteen minutes remaining, the scores were tied at 30 points each.
Ebersohn settled things down with a penalty kick in the 70th minute, but Noakes replied.
The home side kept on attacking and after eleven phases got the penalty in front but to his dismay Ebersohn missed it. Noakes however, made no mistake when he kicked for victory.
The scorers:
For Cheetahs:
Tries: Oosthuizen, Ferreira, Goosen
Con: Goosen 2, S Ebersohn
Pen: Goosen 3, S Ebersohn
For Highlanders:
Tries: Noakes, Cowan 2
Con: Noakes 3
Pen: Delany 3, Noakes 2
Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Cameron Jacobs, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Justin Downey, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 George Earle, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Philip Snyman.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Buxton Popoali'i, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 James Haskell, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Jarrad Hoeata, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Chris King, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (c).
Replacements: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Ma'afu Fia, 18 Culum Retallick, 19 Doug Tietjens, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Chris Noakes, 22 Siale Piutau.
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Comments
powerplay says...
@ Ramage thanks mate i dont know what happened to the other post i posted mustve been lost or on another thread -anyway-yeah i knew that-but still think it will affect them-be it in a small way-as traditionally the buld of the Highlanders came from the Otago Rugby Union. Cheers!!!
Posted 10:18 01st May 2012
The_Claw says...
Greatest comeback since the Waratahs game in 2004 - which was suspiciously similar, actually. Highlanders were down by 21 points early in the second half. They had a player off - red-carded, not yellowed - for punching. And Matt Burke hit the upright with the most trivial of penalty kicks, which would have won the game for the Waratahs. Ah, I remember it like it was yesterday.
Posted 07:02 01st May 2012
Ramage says...
@powerplay just one point it is not the Highlanders franchise that is having financial difficulties it is the Otago RFU two different entities.
Posted 10:09 30th April 2012
jimmijade says...
I don't usually comment on these sites, but I just feel a need to say that not all Saffas (like me) are like the ones on here making illogical and ridiculous accusations against the refs. I find them quite embarrassing actually, especially that Bokawhinger guy. To all the rest of the guys, maybe just ignore them completely? Their opinions are pretty much worth nothing.
As for the game, turning point was Goosen leaving. Cheetah have no-one to blame but themselves. Great comeback Highlanders!
Posted 15:27 29th April 2012
4rugby says...
Just read that Goosen will be out for 4 months, talk about a player the Cheetahs can't afford to lose.
Posted 09:10 29th April 2012
davodiablo says...
@BokAvenger Completely Unjustified Narrow Thoughts !
Posted 09:05 29th April 2012
Ramage says...
@BokAvenger so you think it is because of Bray's bleating. Ummm spare me. My reading of Bray's comments were that Jonker and Braytenbach got one call wrong. However he went on to say that Jonker actually refereed the game well with which I agree. Two things come out of this statement of yours one you obviously disagree with Bray and think Jonker did not referee well. The other point is that by saying this you are also saying that Jonker is a spineless individual because of one criticism he would go out there and referee differently. Sorry but your warped logic does not fit man. To me Jonker's calm attitude calmed a game that could have got terribly out of control. to me he managed the players and saved the game.
We saw two teams play two different halves and to me the telling point was not the refereeing but the injury to Goosen.That young man is an outstanding fly half for one so young and we will see much more of him in the future. To me he is already a much more rounded player than Steyn and he kicks as well. The only thing he lacks is experience. Given that he has a vey bright future.
Posted 05:56 29th April 2012
Ramage says...
I agree with many on here as to the the status of Goosen.What a find and when he left the field it was a big blow to the Cheetahs. I hope he is not too badly injured as players of this calibre make the game exciting. I marvel at the skills this young man has. The Cheetahs are to be commended for the style of rugby they play I hope they keep it up and when able to lock out their opponents they will be a formidable opposition. Just imagine if the Cheetahs were at the bottom of the South African conference then we would lose an exciting team from the competition.
The Highlanders were lucky but just like last week you must play for the full 80 minutes and take every chance you are given and can make. In regards to Haskell yes he is lucky to stay on the field and I'm sure this player will face further sanctions. No matter how much you may be frustrated with what is happening you need to control yourself. Punching is unacceptable this is professional sport and behaving like a street thug is not on.
In regards to Jonker I thought he had a good game as he did last week apart from the one blue he made. However he does not seem to be aided by competent assistants I notice he had Braytenbach was with him again. I was pleased that Jonker diffused a few situations with his calm approach when the Highlanders were getting upset with calls from the assistants they did not like. I liked the way he would not go over a decision that had been made but did explain clearly to Mc Intosh what was to happen and a white card was issued. Should he have given a red? Possibly, but he calmly reflected a yellow was better. Was he right? Well we shall see from the outcome of the white card. What he did saved the game for all of us yet one could argue,fairly, it cost the Cheetahs the game.
Posted 05:37 29th April 2012
Tafiwi says...
The Highlander's come-back clearly defines the difference between them and the Blues (character and grit) and Joseph and Lam (influence and intelligence). Goosen was superb and I hope his injury is short-term but the "man of the match" for me was Jimmy Cowan. An inspired and inspirational replacement.
Posted 04:45 29th April 2012
hayj05 says...
Feel sorry for Ebersohn but what about those two massive (In length & importance) clutch kicks by Noakes. Both in the last 10 minutes, one to tie the game & then one to win it in only his 6th Super Rugby game.
Posted 04:27 29th April 2012
tweedledee49 says...
Bokawhinger, please tell us more about how the whole world is plotting to make Saffa teams lose.
Posted 03:24 29th April 2012
Wallaroo says...
And once again the Highlanders close out a close game, good on them they deserve all the success they get. Cowan is dynamite.
No use bleating about Haskell, he was only trying to help by knocking some sense into Downey. We all know the Saffas need a bit of a reality check now and then lol.
On a serious note. One of the highlights in this game though was the post match interviews. Two of the most gracious and mature captains in the game.
Posted 02:18 29th April 2012
startledwombat says...
This year the Highlanders are winning the close ones that in the past five years they would lose.
Well done Jamie Joseph and the players having matured together over some years.
You can't get a more 50-50 situation than the final minutes of this game!
Well, actually you can - it's called a draw.
Posted 01:27 29th April 2012
hayj05 says...
@Bokavenger - "Only reason Haskell avoided a red card was clearly because of Lyndon Bray's bleating this week about Marius Jonker's performance against the Bulls. No idea why Kiwis continue to be in control of refereeing when they're clearly so blatantly biased" - Oh the irony... someone bleating about the ref & being bias bokavenger? cough cough.
Posted 01:09 29th April 2012
hayj05 says...
Yeah that Goosen looks all class, same thing happened when they played the Chiefs. They looked a different team when he came on. Although I didn't see the end this time as I gave up on the Highlanders when they were 30 - 9 down, shame on me.
Posted 01:01 29th April 2012
KiwiLad says...
Bokavenger, your comments are up to their normal negative standards!!!
Posted 23:04 28th April 2012
makemehappy says...
@BokAvenger - perhaps they are as biased as some Bok fans with rose tinted spectacles?
Posted 20:50 28th April 2012
NHsaints says...
Unlucky, same story as last year for the cheetahs, close but not quite. They've been really good this season though...
Posted 20:24 28th April 2012
BokAvenger says...
Cheetahs butchered this one spectacularly. Only reason Haskell avoided a red card was clearly because of Lyndon Bray's bleating this week about Marius Jonker's performance against the Bulls. No idea why Kiwis continue to be in control of refereeing when they're clearly so blatantly biased
Posted 20:17 28th April 2012
Sasquatch says...
Perfect example of why you have to play 80 minutes of rugby againt Kiwi sides.
Posted 19:59 28th April 2012