The Bulls scored a 74th-minute try to steal a 24-24 draw with the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday. DYLAN JACK reports.
In truth, this is a result that does neither team any good as evidenced by the willingness of both sides to play well beyond the 80-minute mark in search of a win.
While they would have wanted four points to end a draining Australasian tour on a high, the Bulls have ended up having to settle with just two for the second match in a row, after also drawing with the Blues last weekend. That is still enough to see them climb above the Lions, who host the Hurricanes on Saturday, into fifth place on the log.
The Bulls’ final fixture, against the Lions in Pretoria, could very well become a playoff for a playoff, especially if the Lions pull off a shock and beat the in-form Hurricanes.
While they did not start the game at their best – falling 12-0 down early in the first half – the Bulls deserve credit for staying in the game and showing up in the second period to end their three-match losing streak against the men from Dunedin.
The Highlanders made their intentions clear from the off, running the ball whenever possible and causing plenty of havoc through their outside backs. It was a horror error from Dylan Sage which resulted in the opening try as the centre miscontrolled a chip over the top from Aaron Smith, allowing fullback Josh McKay to go in for the first of his two tries.
There was a controversial call soon afterwards as referee Angus Gardner chalked off a Jason Jenkins try after the TMO called his attention to a potential knock-on from Schalk Brits in the build-up. That soon became a double-whammy as a counter-attack started by Tevita Li inside the Highlanders’ 22 eventually saw Waisake Naholo latch onto a kick over the top and score.
