Highlanders hang on in Wellington

Highlanders hang on in Wellington

17 Mar 2012

JON CARDINELLI reports on the Highlanders’ 19-17 win against a plucky Hurricanes side on Saturday.

The Highlanders dominated territory for much of this contest, and had plenty of opportunities to put this young Hurricanes side away. But because of unforced errors, as well as the hosts’ determined defence, they were made to fight for this win right up until the final hooter.

The visitors shot to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter, converting their territorial dominance into points. A typically aggressive showing at the breakdown forced the Hurricanes to impede regularly, and one sustained period of attack yielded a try from close range for Highlanders flyhalf Colin Slade.

And yet, the Hurricanes managed to hit back with 14 unanswered points before the end of the first half. Flyhalf Beauden Barrett edged them closer with a couple of penalties before the pack turned in a more disciplined and controlled showing to wrest back the momentum.

The backline also got involved in the fight at the gainline, and it was a tackle-busting run by wing Julian Savea that set up a sensational team try. Having taken play into Highlanders’ territory the hosts shifted the ball wide to Cory Jane, who showed why he is considered one of the world’s best finishers with a sublime surge and score.

Barrett failed to convert the try, but nailed another penalty to ensure the Hurricanes went to the break with a slender lead. It marked an incredible comeback, and if only the Hurricanes had maintained their intensity and accuracy in the second stanza they may have forced an upset.

The Highlanders continued to dominate territory at the start of the second half, but their finishing left a lot to be desired. They were also disrupted by the Hurricanes at the breakdown, and wayward lineout feeds robbed them of a decent attacking platform.

In the 60th minute, Slade missed a simple penalty attempt that would have stretched the visitors’ lead to four points, a handy advantage in such a tight contest. At the other end, Barrett held his nerve to sink a three pointer which edged his side ahead.

Finally the Highlanders got some reward for their field position. Reserve flyhalf Chris Noakes slotted a difficult penalty kick to regain the lead for the visitors, but with five minutes remaining, the game was far from over.

The Highlanders managed to withstand a final Hurricanes assault, and no doubt coach Jamie Joseph will be elated with the stat of four wins from as many games. However, he will be less than impressed with the missed scoring chances and dismal showing at the lineout.

The Hurricanes look to be a far more organised side than in previous years, although consistency is currently a problem. Their defence was impressive but they will regret their indiscipline at the breakdown as well as their inability to spend long periods in opposition territory.


33 Comments

  • 1.AiDoc: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 08:01 am

    Has a South African ever been cited, in the RSA, by the citing commissioner? Dragons!!

  • 2.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 08:41 am

    Far too early for such questions

  • 3.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 09:19 am

    that try had beauden barrett’s fingerprints all over it, the boy oozes class

  • 4.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 09:25 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-3:

    Yeah agree buddy! The boy has class written all over him.

  • 5.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 09:26 am

    @AiDoc(AiDoc)-1:

    Your point?

  • 6.President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 09:34 am

    @Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-5: his point being ” he is in need of attention” :lol:

  • 7.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 09:46 am

    @President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-6:

    Howzit Buddy! :lol:

    Good luck with the team today! I think they are going to sneak this one. Well I hope so!

  • 8.President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 09:55 am

    @Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-7: howzit bill mate ^5 thanks mate and congrats with ur teams win last night

  • 9.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 09:58 am

    Haha weak punch.

    Howdy all, howdy T. Nice to see you here.

  • 10.President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 09:58 am

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-9: hellooooooooo brudda M , thanks ! you well??

  • 11.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:00 am

    @President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-8:

    Thanks! Yeah still a long way but some promising youngsters coming through which bodes well for the future. I got a good feeling about your team today!

  • 12.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:01 am

    Everyone has been writing the Canes off and now look. The table topping Highlanders are struggling to beat them It can still go either way.

    They are a good team. They will beat more than a few this year, except. of course, the STORMERS!!! :)

  • 13.AiDoc: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:01 am

    @Bill Reyts
    Well before neutral referees the All Blacks used to lose more games at home than they do now AND the Springboks won more games at home than they do now.

  • 14.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:02 am

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-9:

    Hey Budderboy! Were you at the game? Our suggested ‘light’ five are making a statement don’t you think. Kitshoff has some serious talent and quite a strong lightie. I like what I see! So nice to sit back and relax on a Saturday…

  • 15.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:04 am

    @AiDoc(AiDoc)-13:

    Your point? That All Black refs are weak???

  • 16.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:05 am

    @President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-10: Top of the morning today as you can imagine. :)

    Big game for your guys today. Soften those Prima Donna s up for us a bit please :)

  • 17.President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:07 am

    @Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-15: :lol:

  • 18.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:08 am

    @Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-14: Yes awesome to see. Those youngsters are the business! The whole front row did really well, and with Eben packing next to Andries the balance is much better. And it shows. Elstadt is in for a long season on the bench with games on rotation lol.

  • 19.AiDoc: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:08 am

    @stormersboy
    See 13 above. They have only played byes and home games with non-neutral referees so far.

  • 20.President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:09 am

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-16: with pleasure old chap hehehe

  • 21.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:10 am

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-18:

    Well Elstadt is a good one to have on the bench! Can cover lock and loosie…

  • 22.President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:10 am

    Misseur M come drink some coffee :mrgreen:

  • 23.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:11 am

    @AiDoc(AiDoc)-19: Who?

  • 24.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:12 am

    @AiDoc(AiDoc)-19:

    How do you play a bye with or without a ref? Man you are confusing me…

  • 25.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:12 am

    @President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-22: I will, working a bit this morning, as you can see ;)

    Got the kids at the moment, keeping them busy in between watching the game, chatting here and getting some work done. Need to finish a spreadsheet.

  • 26.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:15 am

    @Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-21: ja i hope he keeps his edge. He can rotate in at 7 with Vermeulen IMO. he is also a 100% player who will need some time off if he’s to make a telling contribution come playoffs.

  • 27.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:16 am

    Pity. I had the Canes to take this one.

    It was close. So many games been decided by one penalty this year already.

    Makes the ‘Bru so hard this year.

  • 28.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:17 am

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-27:

    Yeah I thought the Canes would do it too… They are a better team than most give them credit for…

  • 29.President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:20 am

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-25: excuses excuses :lol:

  • 30.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:22 am

    Off to buy some law books! Chat later…

    Go S(h)arks and Cheaters….

  • 31.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:28 am

    that aaron smith is a better scrummy than jimmy cowan, jamie josephs has to start him.

    Julian savea also impressed me today, certainly kicking on from his baby blacks exploits.

  • 32.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:31 am

    @President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts(sharks_lover)-29: ja just like the Bulls fans. :D

  • 33.President_of_the_Sharks_rugby_experts: Reply to this comment
    17 Mar 2012, 10:36 am

    @stormersboy(stormersboy)-32: :lol: bro

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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