Tight tussle: Highlanders had to fight tooth and nail for the win
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The Highlanders were made to work for their fourth Super Rugby win on the trot after edging the Hurricanes 19-17 at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday.
Both teams bagged one try each and the difference came down to penalties with the lead changing hands four times in another arm wrestle between two New Zealand sides.
In the end it was Chris Noake's 74th-minute penalty goal that proved to be the difference in the see-saw battle that had the Hurricanes leading 14-13 at the break, despite being 0-13 down at one point.
Colin Slade had weighed in with 16 points before Noakes came off the bench to land the winning penalty. For the Hurricanes, Beauden Barrett was on target with four penalties while Cory Jane scored their only try.
Playing in front of their home crowd for the first time this season, the Hurricanes were on the wrong side of the penalty count for the majority of the match. They did not help their cause either by turning over the ball far too frequently, allowing the Highlanders to get on the front foot.
However, despite overwhelming shares of territory and possession, the Highlanders failed to capitalise on their dominance and allowed the hosts back in the game.
Slade got the visitors up and running with a simple penalty, before converting his own try in the fifteenth minute of the match after crashing over from close range thanks to a quick-tap from halfback partner Jimmy Cowan.
Slade added a second penalty and it seemed if the southerners were well on their way to a comprehensive win. However the Hurricanes had other ideas...
The Hurricanes rallied with a try in the corner to All Blacks winger Jane and a series of penalties to Barrett to take a 14-13 lead at half-time.
The Highlanders, though, came out all guns blazing after the interval and retook the lead through the boot of Slade (14-16).
Kade Poki thought he had scored the second try for the Highlanders but the pass from Tamati Ellison was adjudged to be forward, while Josh Bekhuis knocked on close to the line.
Slade's final penalty attempt went wide before he was replaced by Noakes, and then the visitors fell behind 17-16 when Barrett slotted his fourth shot at goal for what seemd like the match-winner.
But the Highlanders never-say-die attitute was rewarded when they finally achieved sufficient control to force their way into Hurricanes territory and gained good field position from which Noakes kicked the winning three-pointer.
The scorers:
For Hurricanes:
Try: Jane
Con: Barrett
Pens: Barrett 4
For Highlanders:
Try: Slade
Con: Slade
Pens: Slade 4, Noakes
Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith (c), 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben May.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Michael Bent, 18 James Broadhurst, 19 Brad Shields, 20 Chris Eaton, 21 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22 Charlie Ngatai.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 John Hardie, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Nick Crosswell, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Ma'afu Fia King, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (capt).
Replacements: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Culum Retallick, 19 James Haskell, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Chris Noakes, 22 Buxton Popoali'i.
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand
Comments
isthatrightref says...
@ KiwiLad... you'll need to read mine & @ Sandal's posts after the Force game to get the joke.
Posted 11:40 19th March 2012
KiwiLad says...
This young Hurricanes side will surprise a few higher fancied sides this year, At seasons end last year I thought Hammet had rocks in his head for letting go some of the players that he did. However, I believe he has recruited from the ITM cup incredibly well, and given a season or two, the semis will be well within this young sides grasp.
@ Isthatstraightref, Hammets useless? Keep watching.
Posted 22:55 17th March 2012
isthatrightref says...
Highlanders last penalty seemed a bit 50/50 & 'canes could therefore feel a little short-changed. Only 14,000-odd at the ground which is a worry - I can recall the same fixture in 2004 being a sellout & the pubs jam-packed before & after it - are disgruntled 'canes fans staying away in protest?
Posted 22:04 17th March 2012
runnrugby says...
Even though Slade scored most of the highlanders points I thought Beauden Barrett outplayed him in the number 10 jersey. Good vision great passing and tactical kicking. Slades passing was a bit slow and predictable
Posted 19:59 17th March 2012
Swiwi says...
Highlanders looked to have plateaued somewhat, but I think they were good for their win, given they had what appeared to be a perfectly legit try disallowed. Certainly it was less forward than a certain pass at Cardiff 2007. Aaron Smith is oozing class, and at this rate Cowan (and Ali Williams) will have ex preceding All Black come AB squad annoucement in May. Given the fairly dire Blues performance, would rate the Hurricanes a good chance to triumph at Eden Park next week.
Posted 10:29 17th March 2012
isthatrightref says...
@ Sandal... just to save you the trouble - told ya so, Hammett's useless, get rid of him lol
Posted 09:28 17th March 2012
damo says...
Watched the game the 2 refs were rubbish and Caines were penalised too often for pens the highlanders were able to get away with
Posted 08:26 17th March 2012
IAMpunter2609 says...
Hurricanes coach Mark Muppet should be blamed for this loss. In the final minutes canes had a line out close to highlanders line, they needed a clutch throw in to put the game away. Muppet decided to replace Dane Coles for some unknown replacement hooker Motu Matu'u. Throw in not straight. Front row collapses in next scrum, highlanders penatly. Motu also gave the ball away in the final play of the game. Exciting young canes team with no future with a Muppet for a coach.
Posted 08:25 17th March 2012