The Melbourne Rebels’ quest for their first Super Rugby win abroad has fallen tantalisingly close with a 33-30 defeat to the Highlanders in Dunedin.
Fullback Jason Woodward scored with only four minutes remaining, which he converted to give his side a chance of victory but they couldn’t find the points they desperately sought.
Rocked by the loss of five-eighth Bryce Hegarty in only the second minute, the Rebels scrambled to level with the home side early in the second half before the Highlanders again kicked away.
Hegarty fell heavily and suffered concussion while taking a high ball and the Rebels were almost left without a play-maker altogether when his replacement, Angus Roberts, also suffered a head knock.
He was cleared to continue and even managed a brilliant second half try that was set up by Scott Higginbotham.
The Melbourne skipper took an intercept as the Highlanders threatened the tryline and charged downfield.
He then showed his rugby smarts to kick ahead in-field, with Roberts beating Lima Sopoaga in the chase for the ball.
Woodward’s conversion locked up the scoreboard at 20-20 after 45 minutes but the Highlanders hit the lead just two minutes later through a successful penalty strike by sharpshooter Sopoaga.
It was further extended with a try by All Blacks fullback Ben Smith.
While the Rebels were searching for their first ever win overseas, the Highlanders were looking to end an unwanted record – having lost their previous six encounters with Australian teams over the past two years.
The visitors got off to a promising start and built pressure on the Highlanders through 10 phases before halfback Nic Stirzaker drew Ben Smith and then offloaded a backhand pass to Scott Fuglistaller.
Both teams were willing to test their arms in attack, with the Highlanders’ Test halfback Aaron Smith a constant danger.
After a try by flanker Shane Christie and then Aaron Smith they pushed the lead out to 20-10 through a penalty kick by Sopoago.
The Rebels hammered the Highlanders tryline in the dying minutes rather than kick a penalty and it looked like they would finish empty-handed when they turned the ball over.
Woodward had other ideas but it wasn’t enough for a breakthrough result.
The Rebels last season overcame a 24-point deficit to beat the Highlanders 38-37 at AAMI Park but there was no repeat on Friday night.
Coach Tony McGahan lamented their inability to clear the ball from their 22 with their woeful kicking game putting unwanted pressure on the side.
“We fought really well all night on both sides of the ball but unfortunately every time we scored points we were unable to exit our bottom end and that put us under pressure and they were able to get points pretty easily,” McGahan said
“It’s a big one for use to lose and we need to make sure our nines, 10s and 15s are controlling that part of the field.”
He said that Hegarty had recovered well but concussion protocol would dictate whether he would be available for their clash with the champion Chiefs next round.
Despite the win, halfback Smith was in no mood to celebrate his 50th game for the Highlanders.
“It was an awesome night but I’m gutted, I gave them two tries and I’m pretty gutted about that.
“We were humming along and just silly mistakes, missed tackle and an intercept, wrecked my night,” he told Fairfax.
“We got the win in the end and I’m just very happy the boys showed some spirit in that last 10 minutes.”
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