Highlanders downed in Dunedin
7 Mar 2008
The Hurricanes held on for a narrow 10-6 victory over the Highlanders in an error-filled match.
The Highlanders camped in the Canes 22m in the final quarter, but were repelled by some dodged defence. The Highlanders, however, should have closed out the match long before those desperate final minutes.
When they review this performance they’ll establish that poor ball protection at the breakdown and unforced handling errors was the primary reasons for the defeat.
They completely dominated possession and territory (75% possession) but failed to punish the sluggish Canes. The Wellington unit were a shadow of the side that blitzed the Chiefs last week, further strengthening the perception that they are too inconsistent to be considered serious title contenders. A better side would have put them away in the first half, and they’ll be acutely aware that their performance this evening will not be good enough when they face the Brumbies in Sydney next week.
The Highlanders’ best opportunity fell to openside flank Alando Soakai, who knocked on from an overcooked Andrew Hore defensive lineout. Piri Weepu had earlier shown some real ticker in wresting the ball from Paul Williams as he was in the process of crossing the tryline.
The Canes were content to sit back and absorb the pressure (they made 103 tackles to the Highlanders’ 70). In fairness, they were never stretched by a Highlanders backline who were far too lateral, while in the forwards, only No 8 Steven Setephano, troubled the Canes with his powerful surges.
That patience reaped rewards when the Canes effected a turnover in their 22m and sent the ball through the hands – Jerry Collins rounding off the move. Gopperth added a conversion to an earlier penalty for a 10-0 lead.
The Highlanders continued to press, opting to chip away at the deficit with penalties. James Wilson’s boot got them to within four points but the fullback missed with two attempts, the easiest a 25m effort dead in front of the posts, on the stroke of half-time.
Daniel Bowden took over the kicking duties but he too sliced a 30m effort horribly wide. The Highlanders woes were compounded when they couldn’t punish a 14-man Canes – Ma’a Nonu getting binned for a crunching high tackle that’s bound to elicit a reaction from the citing commissioner.
With five minutes to go the hosts rumbled into the Canes’ red zone, but coughed up possession when it mattered most. Strangely, Bowden attempted a cross-kick after they had controlled the ball through 14 phases post-siren. The kick was poorly weighted and gathered easily by Hosea Gear who marked and punted the ball into the stands to end the match.
Highlanders – Penalty: James Wilson (2)
Hurricanes – Try: Jerry Collins. Conversion: Jimmy Gopperth. Penalty: Gopperth.
76 Comments
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7 Mar 2008, 10:48 am
#28 Snoek,
Ek bet jou jy sal nie nee se as een van hulle jou wil huistoe vat nie… So kap jy hookers???
7 Mar 2008, 10:49 am
Haaaallllllloooooo Trippels!!!!!
Waarmee is jy besig mamma!!!
7 Mar 2008, 10:50 am
**** game
7 Mar 2008, 10:52 am
50 Princess,
I must say that the Canes look like an easy game for the Saders given the style of play
7 Mar 2008, 10:52 am
Hi RP,
Hows things going???
7 Mar 2008, 10:53 am
The bulls cheerleaders looks like hookers!!
Comment by Snoek : March 7, 2008 @ 10:03 am
Aaaa foeitog is die broekies te kort vir jou swak hart?
Snuif snuif jou snoek storie is uit!!
7 Mar 2008, 10:55 am
there really is’nt another interesting game until the Reds play the Stormers
7 Mar 2008, 11:01 am
Ek like die Bulls babes. Hulle doen maar net hulle bes. Sharks tietswaaiers is dalk n raps beter.
7 Mar 2008, 11:03 am
I am still have many problems loading pages
7 Mar 2008, 11:04 am
Chch
Crusaders could send their “junior” team if Canes continue like this !
Cuzzy
I am good – how is that baby ?
7 Mar 2008, 11:04 am
TIETSWAAIERS!!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! What n beauty!! hahahahahahahaha!!!
7 Mar 2008, 11:06 am
TiEtswaaiers
BWAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAq!!!!!
7 Mar 2008, 11:08 am
Julle is lekwar mal man !
7 Mar 2008, 11:11 am
Racheltjie daai is 1ste klas….tietswaaiers!… hahahahahahaha!
7 Mar 2008, 11:13 am
Dankie.
7 Mar 2008, 11:20 am
The statcounter is stopping the Tahs vs Brums thread from working!!!!!
7 Mar 2008, 11:22 am
Chch
You can always go to livescoring through the All Blacks website if you are just looking for a score.
I have it on the telly here in HKG
7 Mar 2008, 11:24 am
hi Kwagga en Cuzzy, ek is net gou besig maar sal later kom chat!!!!
7 Mar 2008, 12:24 pm
The Highlanders play like our SA teams
What’s up with that?
And whats with all the mullets?
7 Mar 2008, 12:42 pm
“dodged defense”
surely u mean dogged
7 Mar 2008, 13:01 pm
And whats with all the mullets?
Comment by soenmydonkie : March 7, 2008 @ 12:24 pm
Donkie,
Southern Man don’t follow the fashions as laid down by others.
**** the Mufti’s in Paris, London & NY.
Southern Man don’t need them around anyhow.
7 Mar 2008, 13:28 pm
Cane, still no excuse for southern man to look like the missing link after losing a bet with his missing link mates.
7 Mar 2008, 13:29 pm
Apparently the perm is also making a comeback.
7 Mar 2008, 17:15 pm
70. Maybe dodgey? Freudian slip?
7 Mar 2008, 17:18 pm
Nonu has a serious problem
look at the record soo far
8 Mar 2008, 02:08 am
So after this game lets hear it again how ***** the Saffa teams are. Still my opinion Saders and Blues only Kiwi teams thats more or less in semi’s. The rest of them is just as bad. Tonights game Sharks vs Blues might decide who will get the home semi!
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