It was another close match that came right down to the final whistle but just like in last years qualifying final, the Highlanders have come away with the win and break Brumbies hearts, again, running out 18-13 winners.
It was the second half that proved the difference, with the Highlanders taking their chances and the Brumbies not able to use their limited chances after they lead 10-0 earlier in the game.
The Match
The matches between these two teams have always been relatively tough affairs in recent times and this was no different in the opening minutes.
It was the visitors that had all the running in the opening ten minutes or so but had nothing to show for all their early territorial dominance as the Brumbies were lucky to escape as the Highlanders were a bit off the pace around the ruck.
It was the Brumbies who opened the scoring with a penalty goal to Wharenui Hawera from about 40 metres out after they finally made their way into the opposition half.
The Highlanders looked to hit back on the back of a lineout but an error after Tom Franklin slipped before the lift and a knock on saw the Brumbies escape.
With a number of dropped balls throughout the half, it allowed the scrums to battle and it was the Brumbies who came out on top with a number of penalties after putting the skates on the Clan scrum.
It looked like the Brumbies would pull out their rolling maul weapon but a sneaky move from Chris Alcock caught the Highlanders by surprise and he ran to the line for the five pointer. Hawera converted for a 10-0 lead after 25 minutes.
In the shadows of half time, the Highlanders pressured the Brumbies into infringing right on their own line. They declined the shot at penalty goal and went with the scrum and was too much for the Brumbies to hold out as Patelesio Tomkinson went over in the right corner to make it 10-5 at the break.
The second half was again a struggle for points with both sides settling for a penalty goal each in the ten minutes after the break with Hawera landing his second and Marty Banks converting for the Highlanders.
The Highlanders had more of the possession and territory but still could not take advantage even with their counter attacking opportunities the Brumbies gave them.
The Brumbies had only limited chances to show much in the second half but a few errors on attack and gave away an easy relieving penalty on one of their rare attacking chances from a chip kick from Aidan Toua in the opposition 22.
With the game into the final 20 minutes, the Highlanders edged closer with a second penalty goal to Banks after Lolo Fakaosilea hit Aaron Smith with a late tackle.
The Brumbies were again their own worst enemy with another knock on at the back of a ruck in the 22 halting the momentum they had off an earlier rolling maul.
The Highlanders pounced on a Brumbies mistake and Joe Wheeler went close to scoring with Chris Alcock saving the day right on the line but from the resulting scrum, Aki Seiuli burrowed over from close range to put the Highlanders in front for the first time. Banks converted to make it 18-13 with seven minutes to go.
The Brumbies kept pushing for more points off a scrum, and a grubber from Hawera was carried back by the Highlanders for a five metre scrum and a chance to snatch victory but the scrum couldn’t get any movement and a knock on, followed by a penalty easily let the Highlanders get out of their end.
But there was more to come, with a late penalty to the Brumbies kicked into touch and they tried valiantly for one last surge towards the line to tie the game but the Highlanders defence held tight to hold them out and come away with a tough 18-13 win.
[one_third last=”no”]
The Game Changer
The Highlanders experience showed in the second half with good game management and defence getting them the win[/one_third][one_third last=”no”]
The G&GR MOTM
Elliot Dixon – not only possesses great head tape but he got in and did the hard work in a game made for the fowards[/one_third][one_third last=”yes”]
Wallaby Watch
Tough night for the backs with Kuridrani and Speight relatively quiet. Scott Sio made a return from injury. Rory Arnold made a bit of impact off the bench and Scott Fardy was up to his usual tricks, although there was a clearing kick he’d probably rather forget[/one_third]
The Details
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]BRUMBIES 13
Tries: Alcock
Conversions: Hawera
Penalties: Hawera 2[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]HIGHLANDERS 18
Tries: Tomkinson, Seiuli
Conversions: Banks
Penalties: Banks 2[/one_half]
Cards
Nil
Crowd
11,195
Photos courtesy Tim Anger
