The Highlanders capitalised on some poor Stormers defence to claim a 33-15 bonus-point win in Dunedin on Friday. JON CARDINELLI reports.
The result sees the Stormers slumping to a third consecutive loss on tour, as well as a 10th straight defeat on New Zealand soil. While there were some encouraging signs on attack – flyhalf Damian Willemse was a standout – and under the high ball in the first half, they were undone once again by a limp and largely disorganised defensive performance.
The Highlanders took some time to get into this contest. Liam Squire bulldozed his way through a frail defensive line to score the game’s first try. Thereafter, the Stormers managed to build some momentum through a strong gainline showing, a pinpoint kicking performance, and some excellent chasing.
Good defence led to a turnover deep in Stormers territory, and Willemse showed exceptional pace to race all the way to the tryline. At that stage, the Stormers were 12-5 ahead.
The Stormers started to lose their way thereafter. The visitors fell off tackles and began to lose the battles in the air and at the gainline.
Waisake Naholo bumped off three Stormers defenders and then handed Aaron Smith the final pass for a telling score. Naholo crossed the line thereafter to ensure that the Highlanders went to the break with a 19-15 lead.
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The hosts were denied two tries before the break. Siya Kolisi did well to win a turnover on his own tryline after the Highlanders had breached the Stormers in an earlier phase. Ben Smith was tripped up by Damian de Allende en route to the line on the stroke of half-time, and referee Glen Jackson ruled that the All Blacks fullback was guilty of a double movement before dotting the ball down.
The Highlanders had a clear opportunity to build on their lead right after the break. Debutant Tevita Nabura broke the line and then hacked the ball ahead for his team-mates to chase. Lock Jackson Hemopo got to the bouncing ball but failed to control it as he fell over the tryline.
The hosts would not be denied for long, though. A sustained assault on the Stormers defence eventually paid dividends in the 48th minute, as Luke Whitelock crashed over from close range. Lima Sopoaga’s conversion took the Highlanders out to an important 11-point lead.
The Highlanders had several chances to secure the result and push for the bonus point. Aaron Smith dived over the line in the 79th minute to ensure that the hosts achieved both objectives.
The result sees the Stormers returning from their three-game tour with only one log point to show for their efforts.
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Highlanders – Tries: Liam Squire, Aaron Smith (2), Waisake Naholo, Luke Whitelock. Conversions: Lima Sopoaga (4).
Stormers – Tries: Chris van Zyl, Damian Willemse. Conversion: SP Marais. Penalty: Marais.
Highlanders – 15 Ben Smith (c), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Tevita Nabura, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Subs: 16 Greg Pleasants-Tate, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Shannon Frizell, 20 Dan Pryor, 21 Josh Renton, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Matt Faddes.
Stormers – 5 SP Marais, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Chris van Zyl, 4 Jan de Klerk, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Ramone Samuels, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Dean Muir, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 George Whitehead, 21 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22 Justin Phillips, 23 JJ Engelbrecht.
Photo: Dianne Manson/Getty Images)
