A try for returning flanker Pat McCutcheon and four Daniel Halangahu penalties weren’t quite enough to secure a second away victory for the HSBC Waratahs in an agonisingly close contest against a highly competitive Highlanders outfit.
Highlanders 18 - 17 HSBC Waratahs
FxPro Super Rugby round three
A try for returning flanker Pat McCutcheon and four Daniel Halangahu penalties weren’t quite enough to secure a second away victory for the HSBC Waratahs in an agonisingly close contest against a highly competitive Highlanders outfit.
Despite leading the thriller 9-8 at half time, the game ended in heartache for the visitors, with both teams scoring a second half try and penalty apiece and only a conversion separating them.
There was some consolation for the NSW side, the single point defeat earning them a second losing bonus and taking their tournament tally to seven points after three matches. Coach Michael Foley and the team will also take heart from an intensely competitive 80-minute performance that kept them in contention for an away win against the top-placed New Zealand side, despite enjoying only 38% of the possession.
After opening up a six point in the first 15 minutes, the visitors looked like going behind just a minute later, when Highlanders’ scrum half Aaron Smith scored from a tapped penalty but the home side were unable to add the extras, a charge down from Adam Ashley-Cooper causing the ball to strike the left hand upright.
Two further opportunities to take the lead went begging eight minutes later when the home side first failed to cross after again opting to run a kickable penalty and then, when they finally opted for the three points, full back Colin Slade missed the posts.
Although it was the New Zealanders who looked the more dangerous in the first quarter, the visitors’ aggressive defence frustrated the Highlanders, forcing a couple of handling errors. Making the most of the limited possession they had, the HSBC Waratahs ’ went close when a kick ahead from scrum half Sarel Pretorius was scooped up by full back Bernard Foley and popped to Berrick Barnes, before the Highlanders quashed the threat at the resulting ruck, regaining possession just metres short of the line.
A third successive Halangahu penalty on 36 minutes gave the team something for its efforts, before Slade finally found the target, narrowing the gap to a point on the stroke of half time.
There was more misery for Slade in the second half. After missing a second penalty goal, his next kick, this time a clearance, was charged down by Pat McCutcheon, leaving the flanker free to collect the ball and fend off the tackle to dive over the line. Halangahu’s conversion was unsuccessful but there was worse news to come as McCutcheon was forced from the field, dislocating his left ankle in a tackle as he drove for the line.
The Highlanders wasted no time hitting back, attacking the midfield and eventually creating space on the wing for breakaway John Hardie to dive over, with Slade’s successful effort putting his team ahead for the first time , 15-14 after 48 minutes.
A penalty for hands in the ruck saw the visitors regain the lead after 54 minutes and they were unfortunate not to add a try soon after, when a multi-phase attack saw breaks from Pretorius and Barnes again set up Foley with the line in sight, only to be smothered by the cover defence.
A thrilling final quarter of high tempo rugby saw both sides launch multiple attacks that had players across the park blowing. The arrival of fresh legs in the form of front rowers John Ulugia and Paddy Ryan and scrum half Brendan McKibbin helped the HSBC Waratahs brave an extended spell in their own 22, finally breaking out and earning a penalty inside the Highlanders’ half with eight minutes remaining. On the edge of his range, Halangahu’s effort fell short, leaving the Highlanders to defend a single point advantage into the closing minutes.
The visitors’ chance came in the 80th minute, as they earned an attacking scrum 35mout. As the hooter sounded, the visitors drove upfield, burrowing forward around the fringes in an effort to get within range. But eventually the effort told and a handling error gifted the home side the ball and the opportunity to clear it and secure a closely fought victory.
The HSBC Waratahs will next face the Western Force at the newly-named Allianz Stadium (formerly the SFS) in their round four FxPro Super Rugby clash on Saturday, March 17 (kick off 7.40pm). The team for this match will be announced on Wednesday.
Highlanders 18 (tries: Smith, Hardie; cons: Slade; pens: Slade 2) d HSBC Waratahs 17 (tries: McCutcheon; pens: Halangahu 4) at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin. Half-time: Highlanders 8 - 9 HSBC Waratahs
HSBC WARATAHS: 15. Bernard Foley (Sydney University), 14. Tom Kingston (Sydney University), 13. Rob Horne (Southern Districts), 12. Berrick Barnes (Sydney University), 11. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Northern Suburbs), 10. Daniel Halangahu (Sydney University), captain, 9. Sarel Pretorius (unattached), 8. Tevita Metuisela (Manly), 7. Pat McCutcheon (Sydney University), 6. Dave Dennis (Sydney University), 5. Kane Douglas (Southern Districts), 4. Dean Mumm (Sydney University), 3. Sekope Kepu (Randwick), 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (Parramatta), 1. Benn Robinson (Eastwood), vice captain
Replacements: 16. John Ulugia (Southern Districts), 17. Paddy Ryan (Sydney University), 18. Lopeti Timani (Southern Districts), 19. Jono Jenkins (Sydney University), 20. Brendan McKibbin (Eastern Suburbs), 21. Tom Carter (Sydney University), 22. Brackin Karuaria-Henry (Southern Districts)
Highlanders: 15 Colin Sade, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 John Hardie, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Nick Crosswell, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Chris King, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (captain).
Replacements: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Culum Retallick, 19 James Haskell, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Kurt Baker, 22 Buxton Popoali'i
Referee: Bryce Lawrence
With two exciting home matches coming up later this month, an HSBC Waratahs membership is your ticket to great value match tickets plus a host of exciting benefits including the chance to win a Volvo C70 Convertible, valued at over $77,000. One lucky member will be driving away from the match against the Sharks on March 25 in a brand new car. Membership packages start from just $38 for a 2 Game Associate adult package, for your chance to win sign up online at www.waratahs.com.au/win by March 21, 2012 or call membership services on 1300 733 899.