Highlanders overcome Tahs in wet, windy Invercargill
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Friday, 30 April 2010
NSWRU Media Unit
The HSBC Waratahs have opened their two-match tour of New Zealand with a 26-10 loss to the Highlanders at Invercargill.
The Tahs leave Rugby Park in Invercargill.
The Tahs leave Rugby Park in Invercargill. [2010 Super 14 Round 12 - Highlanders v HSBC Waratahs; Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill NZL; 30/4/10]
Lachie Turner slides back to retrieve the ball.
Lachie Turner slides back to retrieve the ball. [2010 Super 14 Round 12 - Highlanders v HSBC Waratahs; Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill NZL; 30/4/10]
Kurtley Beale looks to break through the Highlanders defence.
Kurtley Beale looks to break through the Highlanders defence. [2010 Super 14 Round 12 - Highlanders v HSBC Waratahs; Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill NZL; 30/4/10]
Berrick Barnes looks for options.
Berrick Barnes looks for options. [2010 Super 14 Round 12 - Highlanders v HSBC Waratahs; Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill NZL; 30/4/10]
Cold and wet - the NSW bench.
Cold and wet - the NSW bench. [2010 Super 14 Round 12 - Highlanders v HSBC Waratahs; Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill NZL; 30/4/10]
In a match played in nearly constant rain, gusting wind and single-figure temperatures, the Highlanders scored first and were never headed in the 16-point win.
The home side hit the front in the tenth minute when a weight of territory resulted in No.8 Steven Setephano picking up off the back of a close-range scrum and beating close attention from the defence to crash over. The decision was referred to the TMO who awarded the try.
Three minutes later the home side were in again, this time through flanker Adam Thomson who ploughed over close to the left upright. Israel Dagg's conversion opened up a 12-0 advantage early on.
Daniel Halangahu put the visitors on the board with a difficult penalty kick in the 20th minute, however Dagg could not do the same with a three-point opportunity of his own eight minutes later.
The momentum was swinging back towards the Waratahs, and six minutes from half-time Kurtley Beale slipped through a tackle on the last line of defence and crawled over to score under the posts.
Halangahu's conversion closed the margin to just two points as the teams went to the break.
Whichever side scored first after half-time would gain the ascendency for the second forty and it was the home side with Thomson scoring his second near the right touchline.
Despite opportunities throughout the half, the Waratahs simply could not sustain enough possession or territorial pressure to make an impact on the scoreboard.
Three penalties to flyhalf Matt Berquist in the 54th, 64th and 69th minutes sealed the game for the Highlanders.
All reserves from the Tahs were given game time, including Australian Sevens captain Patrick McCutcheon who made his NSW and Super 14 debut.
The HSBC Waratahs fly to Christchurch on Saturday morning to prepare for their round 13 clash with the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday 7 May.
Highlanders 26 (Adam Thomson 2, Steven Setephano tries; Matt Berquist 3 pens, Israel Dagg con) d HSBC Waratahs 10 (Kurtley Beale try; Daniel Halangahu con, pen) at Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill. HT: Highlanders 12-10. Referee: Bryce Lawrence (NZL). Crowd: Not announced.
By the clock
10th - Steven Setephano try; Israel Dagg missed conversion. Highlanders 5-0
13th - Adam Thomson try; Israel Dagg conversion. Highlanders 12-0
20th - Daniel Halangahu penalty goal. Highlanders 12-3
28th - Israel Dagg missed penalty attempt.
34th - Kurtley Beale try; Daniel Halangahu conversion. Highlanders 12-10
47th - Adam Thomson try; Israel Dagg missed conversion. Highlanders 17-10
54rd - Matt Berquist penalty goal. Highlanders 20-10
64th - Matt Berquist penalty goal. Highlanders 23-10
69th - Matt Berquist penalty goal. Highlanders 26-10