Highlanders close out Super Rugby Aotearoa in style

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The Highlanders produced a blistering second-half display to defeat the Hurricanes 38-21 at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday.

This last Super Rugby Aotearoa match was as well contested as the first-ever one between the Highlanders and Chiefs. Playing under the roof and without a crowd at Forsyth Barr Stadium, the Highlanders and Hurricanes were not too fazed by the unaccustomed conditions as they produced an entertaining, end-to-end clash.

The Highlanders made the all the plays in the first half, but turnovers hurt them as the Hurricanes successfully hit them on the counter.

Pouncing on turnover possession, Jordie Barrett broke away from inside his own 22 to get the Hurricanes on the front foot. He was eventually halted, but the Hurricanes recycled the ball well and Vince Aso scored in the right corner.


The Highlanders responded to lock the scores up, but the Hurricanes would go on to strike with another counter-attacking try to regain the lead. With the half drawing to a close, Highlanders co-captain Ash Dixon barged over from the back of a driving maul and Josh Ioane converted to sent the teams into the break at 14-14.


In a complete turnaround, the Hurricanes’ discipline disintegrated and they were punished for it.

The Highlanders chalked out 24 unanswered points, via a penalty and three converted tries including a penalty try, which was awarded when Ardie Savea came in from the side at a maul and then also dove under the ball-carrier to prevent the ball from being grounded.

At 38-14, the game was as good as over as a contest. The Highlanders kept applying pressure while the Hurricanes looked lethargic and lacklustre on and off the ball.

The Highlanders were also defensively astute for much of the second half, but they did concede a try late in the game as Hurricanes centre Peter Umaga-Jensen slid over to restore some respectability to the scoreline.

Highlanders – Tries: Ngatugnane Punivai, Ash Dixon, Michael Collins, Penalty try, Mitch Hunt. Conversions: Josh Ioane (3), Automatic conversion. Penalty: Ioane.
Hurricanes – Tries: Vince Aso, Jamie Booth, Peter Umaga-Jensen. Conversions: Jordie Barrett (3).

Highlanders – 15 Mitch Hunt, 14 Josh McKay, 13 Michael Collins, 12 Sio Tomkinson, 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Aaron Smith (c-c), 8 Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Jack Whetton, 4 Pari Pari Parkinson, 3 Jeff Thwaites, 2 Ash Dixon (c-c), 1 Ayden Johnstone.
Subs: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20 Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 21 Folau Fakatava, 22 Ngatugnane Punivai, 23 Tom Florence.

Hurricanes – 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Vince Aso, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 11 Wes Goosen, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 Jamie Booth, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Scott Scrafton, 4 James Blackwell, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Dane Coles (c), 1 Ben May.
Subs: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Tevita Mafileo, 18 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 19 Liam Mitchell, 20 Devan Flanders, 21 Jonathan Taumateine, 22 Salesi Rayasi, 23 Chase Tiatia.

Photo: Getty Inages

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