Nonu set for Highlanders switch

Updated October 16, 2012 16:53:31

All Blacks centre Ma'a Nonu is set to stay in New Zealand next season after deciding to play for the Highlanders, the Super Rugby team said on Tuesday.

Nonu, who played for the Blues last season after spending nine years with the Hurricanes, will join up with the Dunedin-based side early next year if contract negotiations are completed successfully.

Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph said signing the 30-year-old would be a massive boost for the team.

"Ma'a has been a stand-out performer for the All Blacks over his playing career and he would bring some great playing form to our squad next season," Joseph told the Highlanders' official website.

"He has a lot of big match experience at international level and we know that we would benefit from that."

Nonu, who made his All Blacks debut in 2003 against England, signed with the Blues after being sensationally dumped by the Hurricanes in 2011.

General manager Roger Clark said Nonu's decision to open talks with the Highlanders was a reflection of the team's progress.

"Ma'a is a world-class player who would add real excitement to the Highlanders in 2013," he added.

"It's testament to the work the coaching and management team have put in both on and off the field that a player like Ma'a has decided he'd like to join us."

The Highlanders are scheduled to kick off their 2013 Super Rugby season against the Chiefs on February 22.

Reuters

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, new-zealand

First posted October 16, 2012 16:53:31

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Chiefs outlast Highlanders in Dunedin

Updated June 29, 2012 19:33:19

The Chiefs have opened up an 11-point lead in the Super Rugby standings after a patchy 27-21 win over the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday night.

The Chiefs had the best possible start when Sonny Bill Williams made a burst inside the first two minutes which set up the opening try of the game from Tim Nanai-Williams.

The Highlanders got the score back to 10-9 towards the end of the first half after taking advantage of a series of infringements by the Chiefs, but just when they were trying to put pressure on the visitors, a charge-down of a Highlander kick led to the second try of the evening from Robbie Robinson.

The home side gave away a costly penalty right on half-time for offside in the ruck, and All-Black number 10 Aaron Cruden put the Chiefs out to a nine point lead at the break, 18-9.

The angst continued for the Highlanders, who gave away another penalty inside 20 seconds of the second half, and Cruden made it three from three to make it 21-9.

Ten minutes in, a Sonny Bill Williams shoulder charge started some pushing and shoving between about ten players.

Williams was penalised, the Highlanders drove for the line and were rewarded when Andrew Hore was found on replay to have touched down.

Chris Noakes missed the conversion to leave the home side down seven with half an hour left.

The locals could not breach the Chiefs' defence again until a late try from Hosea Gear gave them some hope.

However the Chiefs withstood nearly three minutes of Highlanders possession after the siren, before turning the ball over and kicking for touch to end the game.

Highlanders: 21 - Tries: Hore, Gear. Conversions: Noakes 1/2 Penalties: Noakes 3/5

Chiefs: 27 - Tries: Nanai-Williams, Robinson. Conversions: Cruden 1/2 Penalties: Cruden 5/6

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, new-zealand

First posted June 29, 2012 19:33:19

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Reds outlast desperate Highlanders

Updated July 07, 2012 09:12:40

Reds captain Will Genia praised his side for its back-to-the-wall defensive effort in keeping out the Highlanders in Queensland's nail-biting 19-13 win at Lang Park on Friday night.

Wallabies five-eighth Quade Cooper played his best game of 2012 as the Reds kept their Super Rugby title defence alive in the penultimate round despite almost giving up a 16-point second-half lead.

But they had to do it tough in the final exchanges with three minutes of gutsy defence on their own try-line on full-time.

The desperate Highlanders attacked the line over multiple phases but a string of try-saving tackles, including two by man-of-the-match Cooper, saved the day before Jake Schatz produced a ruck turnover.

"That's something we pride ourselves on, defence on our line," Genia told Grandstand.

"We spoke about it, we consider those tries [as] soft and very unlike this group, so we addressed it.

"When our backs are against the wall we came up with the big play and thank God we came away with the result."

A fifth straight win moves Queensland into the top six, at least temporarily, with just its last-round match against arch-rival New South Wales to come on Saturday week.

A loss would have virtually been curtains for the home side, which would have dropped to eighth.

"We had to come away with the points ... nothing better than a win would do for us," Genia admitted.

"I guess we took that approach into the game.

"It's more so depending on the result [next] weekend against the Waratahs - we've got to win and nothing short of a win will get us into that six and hopefully we can be in contention for the finals."

Cooper, noticeably growing in confidence in his fourth match back from knee surgery, was a stand-out to show he is back near the form which took the Reds to last year's title.

The Wallabies five-eighth regularly took on the advantage line, muscled up in defence and threw some signature spiral passes that put his team-mates into space.

The goalkicking of Mike Harris, who slotted five from six, was also crucial for the Reds as they scored one try to the Highlanders' two.

"We wanted to turn pressure into points with penalty kicks," Genia said.

"To Mikey's credit he was knocking them over from everywhere."

Queensland looked home and hosed when prop James Slipper was rewarded for a strong display with a 57th-minute try in the right corner for a 16-3 lead.

But the Highlanders fired back with tries to Adam Thomson and Chris King off the back of concerted pressure to close the gap to six points with six minutes left.

Missed conversions cost the visitors dearly, meaning they needed a converted try at the death to win instead of a mere penalty goal, which they could have taken.

The win came at a worrying cost for the Reds as lock Rob Simmons (knee), flanker Beau Robinson (foot) and winger Chris F'Sautia (hamstring) were all injured.

It was gut-wrenching to see teenage talent F'Sautia tear his hamstring as he made one of the few line breaks of the first half off a Cooper cut-out pass.

The Australian under-20 three-quarter has battled hamstring issues for the past three years and Queensland had believed they had solved his problems.

The previous match between the two sides resulted in a 11-try special but that was in stark contrast to a stop-start first half dominated by Jonathan Kaplan's whistle and Highlanders handling errors.

Genia said the Reds' plan was simple for the next week.

"Just prepare as well as we can, not think too much about what's ahead of us," he said.

"We've just got to make sure we worry about the process more than anything else, worry about doing things effectively in-game and letting the result take care of itself."

Reds: 19 (J Slipper try; M Harris 1/1 conversions, 4/5 penalty goals)

Highlanders: 13 (A Thompson, C King tries; M Delany 1/2 penalty goals)

AAP/ABC

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia, south-africa

First posted July 06, 2012 21:33:07

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Crusaders thump Highlanders

Updated June 01, 2012 20:03:17

The Crusaders again flexed their considerable muscle via a 51-18 thrashing of the Highlanders in Christchurch on Friday night.

The home side ran in seven tries to the Highlanders' two, securing a bonus point to add further pressure on New Zealand conference leaders the Chiefs.

The Chiefs, who play away to the Blues on Saturday, also lead the overall standings on 53 points, but the Crusaders now sit on 51 points to move into provisional second place.

The Crusaders have now posted more than 50 points against their past two opponents, having trounced the Blues 59-12 a fortnight ago.

"We knew this was a really important game for us," Crusaders fly half Daniel Carter said.

"The Highlanders were sitting just behind us on the table and it was a must-win, so very pleased with the boys."

The match had been billed as a final trial before the All Blacks' squad for Tests against Ireland is named on Sunday, although national coach Steve Hansen had said he had settled on the 30-man squad, barring any injuries.

After an early George Whitelock try and Carter penalty had given the Crusaders a 10-0 lead, referee Steve Walsh changed the momentum of the match, twice, with yellow cards.

Walsh sent Whitelock to the sin-bin for an indiscretion at the breakdown, which allowed Highlanders fly half Chris Noakes to slot his second penalty and then centre Tamati Ellison to bust over for a try that Noakes converted and gave the visitors a 13-10 lead.

Just before Whitelock returned to the field, however, England international James Haskell was sin-binned for a similar offence at the breakdown and the Crusaders struck.

Carter slotted the penalty then Zac Guildford scored two tries following two clever stab kicks by Carter before inside centre Ryan Crotty finished off a sweeping movement that capped the 22-point burst, while Haskell was off the field and gave the home side an unassailable 32-13 lead at the break.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw grabbed a controversial fifth try with Walsh missing a possible forward pass and knock-on, before prop Wyatt Crockett and replacement flanker Matt Todd barrelled over as the hosts hammered home their domination.

Even the Highlanders' second-half try came as a result of the Crusaders's dominance, when All Blacks winger Hosea Gear intercepted an Andy Ellis pass inside his own 22 and sprinted away.

Had Gear not intercepted, three Crusaders were lining up outside Ellis with the tryline open.

Crusaders: 51 (Z Guildford 2, G Whitelock, R Crotty, R McCaw, W Crockett, M Todd tries; D Carter 5 cons, 2 pens)

Highlanders: 18 (T Ellison, H Gear tries; C Noakes con, 2 pens)

Reuters/ABC

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, new-zealand

First posted June 01, 2012 19:21:34

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Highlanders prevail in Auckland

Updated May 26, 2012 20:18:12

Winger Hosea Gear raised his hand for All Blacks selection with a brace of tries as the visiting Highlanders withstood a late charge by the Blues to win 27-20 at Eden Park on Saturday.

Gear, whose omission from a 35-man squad for the world champion All Blacks raised eyebrows in New Zealand, scored a try in each half to keep the Highlanders' play-off ambitions alive.

Late tries by Tevita Mailau and Tony Woodcock put the Blues within a converted try with two minutes to play, but the Highlanders held on to jump into the top six in the standings and in contention for a post-season wildcard berth.

The Highlanders may be bundled out of the top six if the Sharks beat the visiting Stormers in Durban later on Saturday but captain Jamie Mackintosh was just pleased to come away with four tries and a bonus-point victory.

"We were just lucky enough to get a try just before and after half-time," he said.

"Credit to the Blues, they showed a lot of heart out there tonight.

"We've got a tough run home but we know ourselves that we're a pretty tough team."

Outside centre Tamati Ellison scored the Highlanders' first try in the 25th minute after running half the field to chase down his own clearing kick to the line.

Gear had their second 10 minutes later, scampering in from 15 metres after a line break down the right by winger Kurt Baker.

The Blues were stunned by a third 21 seconds after the half-time whistle when Ben Smith darted through a glaring hole and bolted 50 metres down the left wing before dishing off to Gear for his second try.

Flanker Adam Thomson scored the visitors' fourth try for the bonus point, intercepting a ludicrous line-out overthrow from James Parsons near the try-line in the 60th minute as the Highlanders leapt out to a 27-6 lead.

The match turned sharply a minute later, however, when Highlanders inside centre Phil Burleigh was sent to the sin bin for failing to roll away from a ruck on the Highlanders' try line.

Ma'a Nonu, who came off the bench, began punching holes in the Highlanders defence and the bulky Mailau snatched a ball out of a ruck to plant the Blues' first try in the 68th minute.

Prop Woodcock raised the local crowd's hopes by barging over near the left corner in the 77th minute, but the Blues' were unable to prevent their 11th loss of a dismal, injury-ravaged season.

Highlanders: 27 (H Gear 2, T Ellison, A Thomson tries; C Noakes 2 cons; Noakes pen)

Blues: 20 (T Mailau, T Woodcock tries; G Anscombe, L Munro cons; Anscombe 2 pens)

Reuters

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, new-zealand

First posted May 26, 2012 19:19:26

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Highlanders kick home against the Bulls

Updated May 19, 2012 18:13:58

Lock Jarrad Hoeata scored a late try as the Highlanders upset the Bulls 16-11 at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday and kept alive their hopes of a play-off spot.

The Highlanders had lost their two previous games and were in danger of losing touch with the New Zealand conference leaders the Chiefs (45) and second-placed Crusaders (37) but moved to 39 points with the win.

The Bulls had been at the top of the table on 46 points and could now be over-hauled by the Stormers (45) in the South African conference when they face New South Wales.

"Pretty big game for us, we'd lost two on the trot and the way the competition is we're still in the hunt," Highlanders captain Jamie Mackintosh said.

"It was a pretty physical game and fast."

The Bulls had taken a 6-3 lead into the half-time break, Morne Steyn kicking two penalties while Mike Delany replying with one for the home side.

The match was played between the 22-metre areas, with the South Africans content to use Steyn's tactical kicking to get them down field.

Delany levelled the score early in the second half with his second penalty as the Highlanders put immense pressure on the Bulls defensive line.

Prop Dean Greyling was subsequently sinbinned in the 56th minute after referee Ian Smith had warned them for constant infringing.

Hoeata, who had one try disallowed by the television match official, crossed from the ensuing attacking scrum as the home side patiently built phases and committed defenders before the 2011 All Blacks lock smashed over.

Delany added the conversion and then a penalty shortly afterwards to give the Highlanders a 10-point lead with little over 10 minutes remaining.

The Bulls, however, finally got some field position and used their massive forwards to punch over the advantage line before replacement hooker Willie Wepener crashed over to bring his side to 16-11.

They were not able to grab victory, however, as the desperate Highlanders defence held them out and turned the ball over as the hooter sounded.

"I think we made too many mistakes and the Highlanders capitalised on that," Bulls captain Pierre Spies said.

Highlanders: 16 (J Hoeata try; M Delany 1/1 con, 3/4 pens)

Bulls: 11 (W Wepener try; M Steyn 2/4 pens)

Reuters

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, new-zealand

First posted May 19, 2012 17:35:44

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Hurricanes get past Highlanders

Updated May 12, 2012 20:38:24

The Hurricanes snatched a 26-20 victory over the Highlanders with a Julian Savea try sealing the outcome in the dying minutes of their Super Rugby clash in Dunedin.

The revenge victory for the Hurricanes, who lost 17-19 to the Highlanders in round three, lifted them to one point behind the third-placed Dunedin-based franchise in the New Zealand conference led by the Chiefs.

The Highlanders enjoyed most of the possession but after a faulty first 20 minutes the Hurricanes tightened their defence, while the hosts attack lacked direction.

Both sides scored two tries, with the difference being the accurate boot of Hurricanes fly half Beauden Barrett who punished the Highlanders' high error rate by landing four penalties.

The lead changed five times in the match with Savea's winning try coming six minutes from full-time when the Hurricanes counter-attacked from a poorly directed clearing kick by Highlanders half-back Jimmy Cowan.

The powerful wing breached the Highlanders defence about 30 metres from the line and raced away to settle a match which could have gone either way.

"I think that constructively that's some of the best footy we've played. We still made mistakes but it's a great step up," said Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith, who singled out Savea as a "special" player.

"We kept saying to him just hang in there, the ball wasn't coming his way. But when you show a bit of maturity you can stick at it and wait and when your chance comes he scores tries and that's what we love about him."

The Hurricanes started the scoring with an early Barrett penalty only for the Highlanders to respond with fly half Chris Noakes stepping around three defenders to score near the posts and then add the conversion.

It was a try that signalled to the Highlanders there was ground to be made by taking the direct route at the Hurricanes.

Adam Thomson led a series of pick-and-goes which took the Highlanders up to the Hurricanes line where the All Blacks back rower remained on hand to score the second try.

But while the Highlanders were scoring tries their half-time lead was restricted to 14-9 as Barrett penalties kept the Hurricanes in touch.

A Noakes penalty extended the Highlanders lead after the break, but the Hurricanes struck back immediately when they won the restart and the move ended with a try to Faifili Levave which Barrett converted from wide out.

But in the lead up to the try, neither the linesman nor referee saw Hurricanes lock Jason Eaton step in touch before off-loading the final pass to Levave.

The Hurricanes regained the lead with 15 minutes remaining with another Barrett penalty when Thomson was penalised for a late tackle on TJ Perenara.

Replacement fly half Mike Delany put the Highlanders back in front with a handy penalty before Savea had the final word with the match-winning try.

Hurricanes: 26 (F Levave, J Savea tries; B Barrett 2 cons, 4 pens)

Highlanders: 20 (C Noakes, A Thomson tries; Noakes 2 cons, pen; M Delany pen)

AFP

Tags: rugby-union, super-rugby, sport, new-zealand

First posted May 12, 2012 19:18:38

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Lambie takes Sharks to victory over Highlanders

Updated May 06, 2012 08:31:44

Fly half Patrick Lambie scored all of his team's points to give the Sharks a 28-16 victory over the Otago Highlanders in their Super Rugby match at Kings Park.

Fly half Lambie scored a try and kicked a conversion and seven penalties to hand the Highlanders only their third defeat of the season.

"It was one of our better all-round performances," Sharks captain Keegan Daniel said in a pitchside interview. "We are in the middle of the pack at the moment but we need to build some momentum from this win."

The first half was dominated by the boots of Lambie and his opposite number Mike Delany with both teams guilty of conceding penalties at the breakdown.

Lambie succeeded with all five of his penalty attempts while Delany responded with three of his own.

The Sharks reached halftime holding a 15-9 lead but the visitors could consider themselves a touch unlucky to be trailing as they had dominated possession and territory to such an extent that the hosts had not made a single incursion into the Highlanders' 22-metre area.

The New Zealanders finally made their domination count 10 minutes after the restart when replacement wing Kurt Baker scored in the corner after the Sharks simply ran out of defenders.

Delany succeeded with the difficult touchline conversion as the Highlanders edged into the lead for the first and last time while light rain began falling over the ground.

Lambie continued to haunt the Highlanders with two further penalties before scoring a try when he followed up a wickedly bouncing ball to dot down.

He succeeded with the conversion as the Sharks moved in to a 28-16 lead with just under a quarter of the match to play, a lead that they never relinquished.

"We had opportunities to win but to the Sharks' credit they matched us physically. You have to front up every week in this competition or you get a smack," Highlanders skipper Jamie Mackintosh said.

Sharks 28: Try: P Lambie. Cons: Lambie. Pens: Lambie 7.

Otago Highlanders 16: Try: K Baker. Cons: M Delany. Pens: Delany 3.

AFP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, south-africa

First posted May 06, 2012 07:14:27

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Highlanders snatch victory with thrilling comeback

Updated April 29, 2012 06:49:24

Otago Highlanders wiped out a 21-point deficit during the second half to pip Central Cheetahs 36-33 in a Super Rugby thriller.

The first time the New Zealand visitors led was in the final minute when replacement fly-half Chris Noakes kicked his second penalty at a silent Free State Stadium.

Highlanders won possession from the resultant kick-off, kept the ball among the forwards until the full-time hooter sounded, and replacement scrum-half Jimmy Cowan belted the ball into the main stand.

As if facing an at-times rampant South African team was not enough, the men from Dunedin were two short for several first-half minutes after hooker Andrew Hore and England flank James Haskell got yellow cards.

Cheetahs replacement fly-half Sias Ebersohn bowed his head and tried to hold back tears after the final whistle as he fluffed a simple penalty attempt just before Noakes snatched victory.

Ebersohn came off the bench on the hour mark when pivot Johan Goosen, who had contributed 18 points, was forced to retire after hurting his shoulder while scoring the Cheetahs' third try that was converted for a 30-9 advantage.

Highlanders hit back with three converted tries to draw level only to fall behind again before nerve-less Noakes slotted penalties on 72 and 80 minutes to keep his team second in the New Zealand conference and fifth overall.

"That was an unbelievable match," said Highlanders loose-head prop and skipper Jamie MacKintosh. "We were bloody awful and indisciplined until we discovered some momentum during the second half.

"I really feel for the Cheetahs, who are a great attacking side, but we felt their defence was a bit narrow so once we started getting our hands on the ball the plan was to go wide and get around them."

Cheetahs hooker and captain Adriaan Strauss found it hard to accept that his team had let a big lead slip and remain 11th on the southern hemisphere provincial championship standings, six points off the last play-off spot.

"I am so disappointed as we had chances to finish the game off when well ahead. We just were not smart enough as the Highlanders started finding space and running at us," he admitted.

Cowan scored two tries and Noakes one for Highlanders, all of which Noakes converted and he added two penalties to the three kicked by fly-half Mike Delany during the opening half which ended with Cheetahs 23-9 ahead.

Leading Super Rugby points scorer Goosen raised his season total to 145 with a try, two conversions and three penalties while Ebersohn contributed one conversion and one penalty from five attempts at goal.

Loose-head prop Coenie Oosthuizen and debutant lock Andries Ferreira scored first-half tries for the home team, whose only consolation was a bonus point for losing narrowly.

Cheetahs host struggling Australian outfit Western Force next Saturday while Highlanders travel south to Indian Ocean city Durban for a showdown with Coastal Sharks the same day.

Highlanders 36: (Tries: J Cowan 2, C Noakes. Conversions: Noakes 3. Penalties: M Delany 3, Noakes 2)

Cheetahs 33: (Tries: C Oosthuizen, A Ferreira, J Goosen. Conversions: J Goosen 2, S Ebersohn. Penalties: Goosen 3, Ebersohn)

AFP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, new-zealand, south-africa

First posted April 29, 2012 06:32:39

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Rebels star cited after Highlanders defeat

Updated March 31, 2012 18:01:04

Melbourne's Cooper Vuna has become the latest Australian winger to be cited for a dangerous tackle.

Former rugby league utility Vuna lifted Highlanders winger Kade Poki, whose shoulder hit the ground first, in the 56th minute of Friday's 43-12 loss in Invercargill.

Although referee Marius Jonker penalised Vuna at the time, he did not issue the former Newcastle Knights and Warriors NRL star a card.

However, the citing commissioner deemed the tackle worthy of a red card after watching footage of the incident and the case will now be heard by SANZAR duty judicial officer Mike Heron.

Melbourne centre Lloyd Johansson also got into trouble for a lifting tackle on James Haskell earlier in the game.

But no further action was taken against Johansson following the white card referral, with the sanctions at the time deemed to be sufficient punishment.

Just under two weeks ago, Wallabies star Digby Ioane was given a five-week suspension - effectively a four-game ban with a bye - after the Reds winger pleaded guilty to lifting Sharks flanker Marcell Coetzee.

Meanwhile, Melbourne coach Damien Hill insists the Rebels are heading in the right direction despite their fourth loss in five fixtures and another deflating defeat on overseas soil.

The loss to the Highlanders was the Rebels' fifth in as many offshore games since they entered the competition last year and they have conceded at least 38 points in each of those matches.

Despite Melbourne conceding seven tries, Hill still praised his team for some of its defensive efforts.

He was looking for improvement in tackling and kicking for next Thursday's home game against the Blues though.

"Our defence needs to be more consistently low and our kicking needs to be more accurate," Hill said.

"When opportunities arise, we need to be able to take them.

"Overall they are working hard and they are moving in the right direction.

"We just need to get better at a few things."

The Rebels made a good start, leading 9-0 and 12-7, with gun backs James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale both looking sharp upon their return from injury.

O'Connor kicked four penalties from as many attempts but later tweeted he could not remember any of the Rebels' calls after being accidentally kneed in the head by Highlanders centre Tamati Ellison in the 14th minute.

The Highlanders scored two tries before half-time to go in 12-12 at the break and piled on 31 unanswered points in the second half.

With a short turnaround before the Blues' game at AAMI Park, Melbourne will have a very light week on the training track, according to Hill.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted March 31, 2012 17:05:15

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Perfect Stormers beat Highlanders

Updated April 07, 2012 20:12:45

Full-back Joe Pietersen scored a brilliant individual try to help the table-topping Stormers maintain the only perfect record in Super Rugby with a 21-6 victory over the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday.

Pietersen's try and another from winger Gio Aplon in the first half at the new Otago Stadium proved enough to give the Stormers a sixth win in six matches on their first foray outside South Africa this year.

The Highlanders, who had lost just one match this season to stand second in the standings behind the Stormers, showed plenty of endeavour but were unable to breach the Stormers' blanket defence and scored only through two Chris Noakes penalties.

"It definitely wasn't easy," Stormers skipper Jean de Villiers said in a pitchside interview.

"It was against a quality side and we were probably a bit lucky with some tries in the first half but we'll definitely take the win."

With two of the meanest defences in the competition on display, points should have been at a premium and the Highlanders will have been disappointed with the soft try they conceded in the 13th minute.

Centre De Villiers twice hacked at a loose ball after a turnover and Aplon won a footrace with the Highlanders cover defence to touch down.

There was nothing soft about Pietersen's effort 20 minutes later.

The 27-year-old started the move with a searing 25-metre break from inside his 22 and finished it with a perfectly executed chip-and-chase over the head of the last defender for a converted try that gave the Stormers a 15-3 lead.

Peter Grant, who alternated the kicking duties with Pietersen, scored the only points of the second half with two penalties and the white-shirted defenders held firm against wave after wave of Highlander attacks.

The visitors survived the loss of hooker Tiaan Liebenberg to the sin bin for 10 of the last 14 minutes and fittingly it was Pietersen's tackle that denied the Highlanders a consolation try just before the siren by forcing centre Tamati Ellison to brush the touchline with his boot.

Stormers: 21 (G Aplon, J Pietersen tries; P Grant 1/2 conversions, Grant 2/2 penalties, Pietersen 1/1 penalties)

Highlanders: 6 (C Noakes 2/4 penalties)

Reuters

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, new-zealand, south-africa

First posted April 07, 2012 20:04:10

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Highlanders hand Blues fifth straight loss

Updated April 20, 2012 20:25:28

The Highlanders heaped more pressure on Auckland coach Pat Lam by beating the Blues 30-27 in a scrappy Super Rugby clash in Dunedin that was dominated by the kickers.

Highlanders fly half Mike Delaney kicked six penalties and a conversion and the home side crossed for two tries to claim their sixth win of the season and close the gap on the New Zealand conference leaders the Chiefs.

The Blues showed a much more spirited performance than in recent weeks and started brightly as they looked to end a run of four consecutive defeats.

Rookie full-back Hadleigh Parkes put the Blues ahead in the fourth minute after the Highlanders, looking rusty after coming off a bye week, gifted away possession in their own 22.

Centre Shaun Treeby fumbled a pass from scrum-half Aaron Smith and the Blues moved the ball wide for Parkes to cross in the corner.

"It was probably the exact opposite of how we wanted to start. We knew if we gave them a start they would be in it for the whole game," Highlanders captain Jamie Mackintosh said in a pitchside interview.

Treeby did not dwell on the mistake and he was on hand to dart clear for the Highlanders opening try eight minutes later after Delaney started the move with an exceptional reverse pass.

Both sides were then guilty of ill-discipline as the match turned into a kicking duel with Delaney and Blues fly half Gareth Anscombe trading efforts as the home side went in at half-time 16-14 ahead.

A plethora of penalties followed at the start of the second half as the lead changed hands frequently, prompting referee Bryce Lawrence to warn both sides but he somehow refrained from showing any yellow cards.

The Blues introduced All Black half-back Piri Weepu shortly after half-time and his clever pop pass allowed centre Rene Ranger to dive over at full stretch for the Blues' second try in the 53rd minute.

Anscombe converted to hand the Blues a 27-22 lead with 25 minutes remaining as the visitors eyed only their second win of the season.

However, Ranger went from hero to villain 15 minutes later when he and winger Benson Stanley failed to deal with a Gear grubber kick, allowing Highlanders replacement Kurt Baker to sneak in and touch down for the home side's second try.

The television match official wasted little time in awarding the score and the Highlanders were 30-27 ahead with 10 minutes remaining.

In the final minutes, the Blues rejected a couple of chances to kick a penalty to level the scores as they opted to run the ball to chase a rare victory but the home side held firm.

"We did well, still just those little errors creeping in," Blues captain Luke Braid said.

"We are pretty disappointed, if we were still in the run for the competition, we would have taken the draw."

Highlanders: 30 (S Treeby, K Baker tries; M Delaney 1/2 conversions, 6/7 penalty goals)

Blues: 27 (H Parkes, R Ranger tries; G Anscombe 1/2 conversions, 5/6 penalty goals)

Reuters

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, new-zealand

First posted April 20, 2012 19:37:19

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Highlanders bury Rebels

Updated March 30, 2012 21:58:15

Melbourne coach Damien Hill praised the Rebels' defence despite them conceding seven tries in a 43-12 Super Rugby beating by the Highlanders in Invercargill on Friday.

It was a fourth loss in five games for the Rebels, who have lost all five of their offshore games since being admitted to the competition last year.

The Rebels dared to build on a promising start, leading 9-0 and 12-7 in the first half, following four penalties from as many attempts to five-eighth James O'Connor.

But the Highlanders' relentless multi-phase play wore down the Rebels, especially in a 14-minute period either side of the break, in which they scored four tries and 24 points.

Sparked by a hat-trick of tries to talismanic flanker Adam Thomson and two to incisive full-back Ben Smith, the home team scored the last 36 points to complete its fifth win from six games to go top of the New Zealand conference and the overall standings.

"On balance, the first half I think we played very well," Hill said.

"When you are playing a team like the Highlanders, who are a very good football team, at home and you give them some momentum you are on the back foot.

"Unfortunately that's what happened tonight. We weren't able to stem the tide."

The Highlanders notched their fifth win in six games to go top of the New Zealand conference and the overall ladder.

Asked about positives the Rebels could draw from the game, Hill perhaps surprisingly nominated their defence.

"I thought our defensive effort was exceptional, you don't often say that having conceded seven tries," he said.

"There were some great defensive efforts and courage shown there, just unfortunately a few occasions where we weren't able to go low."

O'Connor and full-back Kurtley Beale, both returning from injury, caused the Highlanders' defence some early headaches with their running and passing.

O'Connor had a headache of his own after taking an accidental knee to the head from Highlanders centre Tamati Ellison in the 14th minute.

His goalkicking remained impeccable, but he later tweeted that he could not remember any of the calls following the knock.

The Rebels even outscored the home team 3-0 while centre Lloyd Johansson was sin-binned for a first-half lifting tackle, which earned him both a yellow and a white card.

It all went horribly wrong shortly after Johansson returned to the field, as the Rebels conceded tries to Smith and Thomson late in the first half, which ended with a 12-12 scoreline.

Thomson and winger Kade Poki crossed within five minutes of the restart and the Rebels could not rally as the insatiable Highlanders pack dominated possession.

Captain and prop Jamie Mackintosh, Smith and Thomson each breached the Rebels' stripe in the last 21 minutes.

Rebels winger Cooper Vuna was warned by the referee for a lifting tackle on Poki, which looked just as bad, if not worse, as the one made by Johansson.

Highlanders: 43 (A Thomson 3, B Smith 2, J Mackintosh, K Poki tries; C Noakes 4/6 conversions)

Rebels: 12 (J O'Connor 4/4 penalties)

AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, new-zealand, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted March 30, 2012 19:23:19

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Rebels lose to Highlanders

Published:Saturday, April 16, 2011 9:40 AESTExpires:Friday, July 15, 2011 9:40 AEST

The Highlanders have squashed Melbourne's Super Rugby finals dreams with a 24-point defeat.

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Tags: rugby-union, melbourne-3000

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Resurgent Highlanders upset Crusaders

Updated April 23, 2011 20:16:00

The Highlanders produced a superb defensive effort and made their chances count to upset the Crusaders 26-18 in their Super Rugby match at Nelson's Trafalgar Park.

The Crusaders had crushed the Highlanders 44-13 five weeks ago and were expected to comfortably account for their southern neighbours as both sides rotated their squads to rest some front-line players.

All Blacks Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Kieran Read were all sidelined for the Crusaders.

"Both sides made changes and those guys who came in really wanted to have big games. It's a testament to the culture we have got in our squad," Highlanders captain Jamie Mackintosh said.

"It just shows that if we keep that good culture then guys can step up and play well and it's enjoyable."

Matt Berquist and Tony Brown traded early penalties to open the scoring in a high-paced match before the Crusaders' Zac Guildford finished a brilliant try, sparked from deep inside their own half, and converted by Berquist.

The Highlanders dragged themselves back into the game with tries to wingers Siale Piutau and James Paterson after some determined defence and counter-rucking at the breakdown, which disrupted the Crusaders' quick attacking platform and forced Berquist to slot a drop goal between the two Otago tries.

Brown, who at 36 has been brought back because of Colin Slade's broken jaw, converted Paterson's try but missed a late penalty as the visitors went into the break with a surprise 15-13 lead.

Paterson grabbed his second try of the match straight aftert the kick-off when the Highlanders attacked from a scrum on halfway and recycled several quick phases for Brown to cross-kick to Paterson, who was waiting unmarked on the wing.

The Crusaders then had a purple patch, demolishing the Highlanders scrum, but were also heavily penalised and unable to breach the defence.

The home side got a slice of luck when the Highlanders turned the ball over while on attack and centre Adam Whitlock scooped up the ball and sprinted 50 metres for a try.

Berquist missed the sideline conversion that would have levelled the score at 20-20.

Brown then slotted two penalties in quick succession to give the Highlanders a 26-18 lead with 15 minutes remaining and they then spent the rest of the time defending their advantage.

"Their defensive line was up real quick and they really slowed down our ruck ball and all credit to them, it won them the game," Crusaders lock Chris Jack said.

"We didn't perform that well but we were beaten by a better side on the day."

Highlanders: 26 (J Paterson 2, S Piutau tries; T Brown conversion, 3 penalties)

Crusaders: 18 (Z Guildford, A Whitelock tries; M Berquist conversion, penalty, drop goal)

-Reuters

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, new-zealand

First posted April 23, 2011 19:52:00

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Mortlock ruled out for Highlanders match

Updated April 14, 2011 22:32:00

Melbourne Rebels have lost skipper Stirling Mortlock to a hip injury for Friday night's Super Rugby clash against the Highlanders at AAMI Park.

Mortlock was a late withdrawal on Thursday after succumbing to the injury which he had struggled with during the week.

His place has been taken by James Hilgendorf, who will start at inside centre.

"It is really disappointing because for the first time this season we thought we were going into a game with a near full-strength side," said Rebels coach Rod Macqueen.

"At the same time though, I am relieved to have Jimmy Hilgendorf return from injury and I am confident that he will take his opportunity."

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, vic, melbourne-3000

First posted April 14, 2011 22:27:00

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Beale skips past the Highlanders

Published:Saturday, June 11, 2011 11:01 AEST

Kurtley Beale of the Waratahs makes a break during the round 17 Super Rugby match between the Waratahs and the Highlanders at the Sydney Football Stadium on June 11, 2011.

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, nsw, sydney-2000, new-zealand

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Force come back to edge Highlanders

Updated June 3, 2011 19:46:00

David Smith scored a magical 55-metre runaway try as the Western Force came from behind to post a gutsy 21-14 Super Rugby victory over the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday night.

The Force looked gone after entering the half-time break trailing 14-3 on enemy territory.

But Smith sparked a remarkable turnaround, scoring two tries in the second half as the Force piled on 18 unanswered points to break a four-game winless streak.

Although his first try in the 66th minute was important in getting the Force back in the game, it was his second five-pointer in the 74th minute that was the key moment.

After collecting the ball following a box kick from the Highlanders Smith sprinted 55m, sliced through three defenders and brushed off a tackle from full-back Ben Smith before touching down in the corner.

The win was the first by an Australian side on New Zealand soil this season, ending a run of eight losses.

"It was fantastic stuff," a chuffed Force coach Richard Graham said.

"We showed the character we've shown all year. It's never been questioned amongst this group and I'm incredibly proud as a coach to be part of it."

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph sparked a trans-Tasman war of words earlier this year when he claimed Australian sides were playing schoolboy rugby.

But the Force showed they were more than happy to get their hands dirty, with their resolute defence and excellent work at the breakdown proving critical in the win.

"The Highlanders are one of the best teams in the competition at the breakdown, so we knew that was going to be big for us tonight and it's nice to come out here and not play like schoolboys," Force skipper Nathan Sharpe said in a slight dig at Joseph's comments.

The Highlanders, wearing their new Kermit the Frog-coloured uniform to mark the final Super Rugby game at Carisbrook Stadium, were devastated after the final siren, knowing the loss all but ended their finals hopes.

The Force, already without several backline stars including James O'Connor and Brett Sheehan, suffered a major blow before the match when full-back Cameron Shepherd pulled out due to a hamstring injury.

The Force opened the scoring through a James Stannard penalty but the Highlanders took control from that point, with three penalties to Lima Sopoaga and a try to Ben Smith giving the Highlanders a comfortable 14-3 half-time lead.

It would have been even worse had it not been for the excellent defensive work of Smith, who bundled Adam Thomson over the touchline just as the Highlanders flanker appeared set to barge over for a try.

Force stand-in five-eighth James Stannard was sin-binned in the 26th minute for blatantly taking down Siale Piutau before the winger was about to receive a pass on the fast break.

The Force conceded just three points during Stannard's time on the bench, and the visitors' defensive mettle was again severely tested early in the second half as the Highlanders pushed hard for a second try.

And they should have had it in the 45th minute when number eight Nasi Manu touched down after Piutau's pass rebounded off Matt Hodgson's head and into the try area.

But a knock-on was called against Piutau, robbing the Highlanders of five points, a conversion attempt and important momentum.

The Force seemed uplifted from the let-off and drew within four points in the 66th minute when Smith's try was converted by Stannard.

The visitors blew three golden chances to post another quick-fire try, but a Stannard penalty and then Smith's runaway try gave the Force a deserved victory in what has been a tough season.

Force: 21 (D Smith 2 tries; J Stannard 1/2 conversions, 3 penalty goals)

Highlanders: 14 (B Smith try; L Sopoaga 3 penalty goals)

- AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, wa, perth-6000, new-zealand

First posted June 3, 2011 19:23:00

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Force victorious over Highlanders

Expires:Thursday, September 1, 2011 7:22

The Western Force has defeated the Highlanders in Super Rugby.

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Tags: rugby-union, perth-6000

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Lowly Lions stun Highlanders

Updated May 28, 2011 19:41:00

Wikus van Heerden destroyed the Otago Highlanders with a try on full-time as the lowly Lions upset Super 15 finals contenders the Highlanders 26-22 at Carisbrook on Saturday.

The Highlanders were looking to firm up their top-six position with a home win against the bottom-placed Lions and appeared certain to achieve their wish when they won a defensive penalty while leading 22-19 and time almost up.

But fly half Lima Sopoaga failed to find touch with the crucial kick, allowing the Lions to storm back and the 32-year-old van Heerden crashed across to seal the outcome to the delight of his captain Doppies la Grange.

"It's an awesome feeling. Wikus is always a stalwart, he always plays with heart," the skipper said.

"Finally our hard work has paid off. The guys finally brought some attitude and played with heart."

It was only the third win of the year for the Lions while the Highlanders, who looked rusty in their first game back after a bye, are reliant on the outcome of other matches over the weekend if they are to remain in the top six.

The Lions also had the satisfaction of outscoring the Highlanders two tries to one in a match marred by a high penalty count from repeated breakdown infringements by both sides

Sopoaga, who had a sound game apart from his missed touchfinder at the end, landed five penalties for the Highlanders while the Lions' Elton Jantjies was successful with four from four attempts.

The lead changed six times in the match with the Highlanders striking first when the Lions turned over the ball from the kick-off and then conceded a penalty for Sopoaga to have his side on the board in the first minute.

Two penalties in quick succession to Jantjies gave the Lions a brief 6-3 lead before the Highlanders struck back with the only try of the first half.

Jamie Mackintosh turned down a shot at goal from a close range penalty and from a well-rehearsed backline move Shaun Treeby cut back on the angle to score.

Sopoaga landed the conversion and two more penalties for the Highlanders to turn with a 16-9 lead.

The Lions hit the front for the second time early in the second half when backrower Josh Strauss caught the Highlanders napping with a try from a quick tap penalty and Jantjies added the conversion and another penalty.

But as the ruck infringements mounted, Sopoaga added two more penalties and the Highlanders led 22-19 with the clock ticking down when van Heerdon produced his match-winning try.

Lions: 26 (J Strauss, W van Heerden tries; E Jantjies 2/2 conversions, 4 penalty goals)

Highlanders: 22 (S Treeby try; L Sopoaga 1/1 conversions, 5 penalty goals)

- AFP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, new-zealand, south-africa

First posted May 28, 2011 19:36:00

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