Highlanders sunk in Dunedin deluge
28 Apr 2006
Opportunistic tries either side of half-time were enough for the Waratahs to stagger out of a soaked House of Pain with a 20-3 victory over the Highlanders in the Vodacom Super 14.
On the backfoot throughout, and enjoying less than 30% territory, the Tahs defence and superb discipline were the reasons they were able to reclaim top spot in the competition.
In appalling conditions, handling errors abounded, but it was two from the home side that proved decisive. Twice fullback Peter Hewat sent kicks through, twice the Highlanders had men back and twice they failed to secure possession.
Morgan Turinui was the beneficiary right on half time as he dived on the loose ball, and less than five minutes into the second 40 Hewat showed his tap dance skills to dribble through for Sam Norton-Night to gather and earn a scoreline entirely opposing the run of play.
The Highlanders are a limited side, and this was no better exhibited in the rain and mud. Unable to reproduce the handling skills and attacking swagger that saw them snatch victory from the Cheetahs in similar conditions earlier in their campaign, attack after attack was repulsed by the light blue wall.
The fact that Ben Blair was afforded one kickable penalty in the entire 80 minutes is a testament to just how precise and unyielding the Tahs were on D.
The Crusaders have the opportunity to retake top spot with victory over the Stormers in Cape Town tomorrow, but Robbie Deans will know that just one slip up in their remaining round robin matches could be enough for the Tahs to guarantee a home final should they get through the semis.
SCORERS
Highlanders
Pen: Ben Blair
Waratahs
Tries: Morgan Turinui and Sam Norton-Knight
Cons: Peter Hewat 2
Pens: Hewat 2
By Chris Hewitt
86 Comments
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28 Apr 2006, 10:47 am
Roger charges down 5 metres from Highlanders line
Sailor has it Hewat loses it on the line.
28 Apr 2006, 10:48 am
5 metre Highlanders scrum, Tahs up to quickly.
Hewat has to scamper back to gather kick ahead, returns the complement and forces knock on from Smylie
28 Apr 2006, 10:49 am
56 The Waratahs go wide from the line-out, Sailor takes his opposite number on, slinging a pass inside to Hewat, who is over – but he loses the ball over the tryline. The Highlanders have the scrum and they kick ahead, with Hewat fielding and kicking back.
55 The ‘Tahs make a triple-charge – in the back row and at halfback – and it doesn’t seem to stop them as they put pressure on the home team. The Highlanders kick, Tuqiri runs the ball back and he chips ahead, with the Highlanders putting the ball into touch via Smith.
28 Apr 2006, 10:49 am
Donut on paddock
28 Apr 2006, 10:52 am
Highlanders on the charge, turnover to Tahs. Hewat clears to 10 metre line. Blair up, tackled, turnover again, Tuquri can’t control as ball goes out a metre from goalline.
Quick throw and cleared to 22 metre line
28 Apr 2006, 10:55 am
Rogers sets up maul outside 22 – turnover as Highlanders burst away to chip and chase for goal line – 5 metres out Hewat gets it and clears to 22.
Ball on ground, Highlanders charging.
TJ flags out -
28 Apr 2006, 10:55 am
There was a knock on and the Highlanders have a scrum – winning the free-kick, which Blackie takes quickly, bursting ahead and winning another scrum feed. Smylie feeds, Mapusua has a go, the Highlanders make good ground, but they turn the ball over and Hewat kicks toward the touchline. He cannot find touch and Blair comes back at them, getting turned! Replacement halfback Brett Sheehan has a dart, only Oliver’s in front of him and they go wide – Turinui sums it up well and Tuqiri is in the clear, but the touchline wins the race as the ball goes out.
28 Apr 2006, 10:56 am
Rolling Maul 1 metre out from Tahs line. On goal line
Turnover use it or lose it!
28 Apr 2006, 10:57 am
61 The Highlanders clear their line from the line-out, but the ‘Tahs come straight back. Norton-Knight coughs up the ball on attack and Brew comes away with it, they go left, Kahui chips, but he takes a tumble and Sheehan tidies up, with Smylie on his back! The ‘Tahs manage to clear, phew, but they cannot find touch and the Highlanders come back, eventually winning the scrum feed.
28 Apr 2006, 11:00 am
Blair on attack, to half way on to Kinilau 15 metres out.
63 A scrum becomes a penalty, however, the Highlanders are awarded a penalty for the ‘late’ tackle on Kahui – a bit tight, but an attacking position nonetheless for the home team as they kick to touch and win the line-out ball. They maul ahead, NSW hold them up, but the men in darker blue rumble forward, “USE IT” screams Lawrence, he shouts the same order again and eventually awards the scrum to New South Wales.
28 Apr 2006, 11:01 am
highlanders pressurise the Tahs line again. kinikinilau turns it over to Tahs
28 Apr 2006, 11:02 am
65 The Waratahs move ahead from the scrum, but they are turned and Blair dances ahead, before getting taken down. Blackie’s involved again – what a work-rate from him – now Newby, then Bruce, he’s taken down just a few metres short. The ball comes back on the Highlanders’ side, the big men still hold on and drive around the fringes. Replacement back Roy Kinikinilau has a dart, just a forward in front of him, but he is caught and loses the ball ahead.
28 Apr 2006, 11:02 am
Big scrum again from Highlanders
28 Apr 2006, 11:03 am
Rogers clears again. All the pressure coming from Highlanders.
28 Apr 2006, 11:05 am
Tahs bring Rogers off – He and Hewat are the standout players of the game
28 Apr 2006, 11:06 am
The Waratahs kick from their own goalline and the Highlanders try to come back, eventually just losing the ball ahead. They are brave and they are trying, but they need to up their execution if they want to come away with something tonight against a water-tight ‘Tahs team.
Sailor off
28 Apr 2006, 11:07 am
Game slowing down as weather closes in again. Unlikely Highlanders can even get within 7.
28 Apr 2006, 11:09 am
Two minutes to go, Tahs defending again.
On 22 highlanders attack, Hewat out on full, scrum 10 metres out from Tahs 22.
28 Apr 2006, 11:10 am
72 Oliver finds his man, Blackie, and they move ahead, before kicking, with the ‘Tahs returning and Blair finding a solid touch. Replacement ‘Tahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau throws in, finding Vickerman, but the Highlanders have it. Bruce doubles around his centres, more by accident than anything else, and they send the ball wide to Smith, who is tackled.
70 The Highlanders have the ball now, but they are going backwards – no fellows, you need to go forward in this game! The Highlanders with a rare line-out steal now, but they simply move across the field, with the ball dribbling into touch off a Waratahs boot.
28 Apr 2006, 11:10 am
Carisbrook should be renamed the house of RAIN !!
28 Apr 2006, 11:12 am
What a boring game , cant believe I my luck , first friday off and I get to watch this.
28 Apr 2006, 11:14 am
Just waiting for whistle as the scrabble around the park.
Tahs will win without a bonus point!
Tahs penalty. Missed touch! Return kick missed touch X 3 X 4 X 5
Penalty to Highlanders for offside. Smylie runs.
Tahs Offside again on hlf way
28 Apr 2006, 11:15 am
75 The ‘Tahs have it now, winning the penalty, which Hewat does not kick out. Kinikinilau traps the ball under his studs and passes to Blair, who kicks. Shaun Berne, on for Wendell Sailor, fields and passes to Hewat, who kicks, with Kinikinilau fielding and kicking – it’s aerial ping pong! (UGH!) Sheehan fields and he… kicks… amazing! This time the home team runs the ball back, but Matt Dunning, on for Robinson, is penalised for coming in from the side.
73 The ball is turned, the Waratahs have the advantage. Hewat kicks, but it’s out on the full. Highlander Jason Macdonald is on for his skipper at hooker and Hayman is also off, with Chris King also on in the front row. Macdonald finds his jumpers with his first throw and the Highlanders bash ahead.
72 Oliver finds his man, Blackie, and they move ahead, before kicking, with the ‘Tahs returning and Blair finding a solid touch. Replacement ‘Tahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau throws in, finding Vickerman, but the Highlanders have it. Bruce doubles around his centres, more by accident than anything else, and they send the ball wide to Smith, who is tackled.
WELL INTO EXTRA TIME LAWRENCE
28 Apr 2006, 11:16 am
GO THE TAHS!!!
28 Apr 2006, 11:18 am
Highlanders on goal line again.
Attackin Scrum to highlanders
Fantastic Tahs defence.
Tap penalty taken by Smylie.
Can’t get over.
Eventually ball lost forward and Tahs scrum.
28 Apr 2006, 11:18 am
78 The Highlanders tap and go, Newby’s body position is not right and Elsom drives him back a good few metres. The Waratahs, however, were off-side and the Highlanders win the penalty, with Blair kicking to touch. Macdonald throws in – his throw is skew and it’s a ‘Tahs scrum. Sheehan feeds, the Highlanders win the free-kick, which Smylie takes quickly. They move to the left, Smylie has it again, but Elsom smashes him. Blackie tries to dive over a pile of bodies, but he gets hit backwards and they win the scrum, just five metres out.
28 Apr 2006, 11:19 am
Tha get penalty for holding on. Full time as Hewat kicks it into the crowd
28 Apr 2006, 11:20 am
Sarky
Thanks for the commentary you did a great job. Same time next week?
28 Apr 2006, 11:32 am
I am outta here one last thing before I go.
Sharks to beat the bulls final score 21-15
Go Sharks!!!!!!!!!!!
28 Apr 2006, 11:32 am
I hope so. Ihad my boss come in at 65 minutes, with the commentary blaring out of my laptop. Luckily he could not follow what it was so I said it was 702.
28 Apr 2006, 11:46 am
Had some onscreen shots and commentary showing how **** the weather was and how tight the Tahs defense is.
Hewat has probably been the stand out full back this year. Great presence on the field along with rogers.
The Tahs look a great deal better than anyone other than perhaps the ‘Saders. In a dry game Rogers may be the edge as he and Hewat have the dancing skills to pry open even the ‘Saders defence.
The one session of aerial ping pong at around 75 minutes was an absolute eye opener as to how not to do things, otherwise a great advert for Wallaby skills for the NH season.
28 Apr 2006, 15:43 pm
I watched the game with great intent, the Highlanders’ forwards play was appaling,
Are the NZ teams -barring the Crusaders – now in a process of becoming just another Fijian/Samoan teams? great ball and running skills but losing that Kiwi edge of organized battle team?
28 Apr 2006, 19:02 pm
House of Pain is such a depressing **** hole
28 Apr 2006, 23:59 pm
House of Pain is a thrilling venue if you are a Scarfie from Otago University. You can even bring your own old sofa along and park it on the terraces and then set fire to it after the game! Where else in the world can you do that? It’s a tradition!
29 Apr 2006, 01:49 am
Soweto?
29 Apr 2006, 03:28 am
Can you watch really good rugby in Soweto?
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