Ben Smith scored two tries as the Highlanders claimed a 43-17 bonus-point win against the Brumbies in Dunedin. SIMON BORCHARDT reports.
The Highlanders’ 10th consecutive win at home and their fourth in a row against the Brumbies keeps them in touch with the Hurricanes, Crusaders and Chiefs in the ultra-competitive New Zealand conference.
The Brumbies, who are now 3-4 in 2018, were highly competitive on Saturday and trailed by just five points early in the second half. But they were unable to take advantage of a yellow card to Highlanders flyhalf Lima Sopoaga and conceded a try while he was off the field that proved to be a killer blow.
It took the hosts just over six minutes to score their first try of the match. The forwards did well to suck in defenders, with Teihorangi Walden coming within inches of the line after taking an inside pass from Sopoaga, who then went over himself following quick ruck ball.
Wharenui Hawera got the Brumbies on the board with a penalty and the visitors then did well to repel a couple of promising Highlanders’ attacks, with David Pocock winning a crucial breakdown penalty inside his 22.
But the hosts did get their second try in the 25th minute when Ben Smith received possession on his 10m line, cut back inside on the Brumbies’ 22 instead of passing to Tevita Li on the left wing and evaded three defenders to score.
Pocock had a try disallowed soon after, but the referee had been playing advantage and the visitors opted to scrum. A big shove resulted in another penalty and another scrum, from which Isi Naisarani broke away to score.
The Highlanders finished the half strongly but Walden was unable to hang on to a pass from Sopoaga when a try was on and they had to settle for a slender 12-10 half-time lead.
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Sopoaga scored the first points of the second half with a 45m penalty goal, before being yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle on Tom Banks in the 52nd minute.
The Brumbies dominated possession and territory while playing against 14 men, yet couldn’t add to their tally. In fact, they conceded a try when Hawera’s long pass was intercepted by Waisake Naholo, who ran 90m to score at the other end.
Having been restored to 15 men, Highlanders replacement Kayne Hammington won a turnover inside his half and Smith sprinted 60m for his second try.
The hosts struck again when Matt Faddes collected Rob Thompson’s kick into the Brumbies 22 and a long pass from Ash Dixon put Shannon Frizell away for the bonus-point try.
Replacement Joe Powell scored a consolation try for the Brumbies, but the Highlanders had the final say when Fletcher Smith scored their sixth try two minutes after the full-time hooter.
Highlanders – Tries: Lima Sopoaga, Ben Smith (2), Waisake Naholo, Shannon Frizell, Fletcher Smith. Conversions: Sopoaga (4), Ben Smith. Penalty: Sopoaga.
Brumbies – Tries: Isi Naisarani, Joe Powell. Conversions: Wharenui Hawera (2). Penalty: Hawera.
Highlanders – 15 Ben Smith (cc), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Subs: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Kalolo Tuiloma, 19 Alex Ainley, 20 Elliot Dixon, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Matt Faddes.
Brumbies – 15 Tom Banks, 14 James Dargaville, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Chance Peni, 10 Wharenui Hawera, 9 Matt Lucas, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 David Pocock, 6 Tom Cusack, 5 Rory Arnold, 4 Blake Enever, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Faingaa, 1 Scott Sio.
Subs: 16 Robbie Abel, 17 Nic Mayhew, 18 Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19 Sam Carter, 20 Michael Oakman-Hunt, 21 Joe Powell, 22 Kyle Godwin, 23 Andrew Smith.
Photo: Dianne Manson/Getty Images
