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[VIDEO] Highlanders vs Reds highlights: 2015 Super Rugby live scores, blog

Roar Guru
27th February, 2015
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick-off: 5:20pm (AEST)
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Betting: Highlanders $1.40, Reds $2.88
The Reds cross the Tasman to take on the Highlanders in Dunedin. (AAP Image/SNPA, Ross Setford)
Roar Guru
27th February, 2015
292
9214 Reads

Match Result Not the most interesting of games and the Highlanders did just enough to record their first win of the 2015 season. They started the game well and Banks was able to hit the scoreboard early for them.

O’Connor and Genia started clicking and at times it looked like the Reds were going to roll over the Highlanders but it didn’t eventuate as errors took hold late in the first half. Schatz scored the first for the game early in the second half from a scrum, but it was the Highlanders who had the final laugh through winger Naholo.

Not the greatest spectacle and there are injury doubts over Kerevi who didn’t return from the sheds after half time. Again referee interpretations will be interesting to dissect as each week there appears to be a different interpretations of the rules.

But in the wash-up it’s the Highlanders 20 defeating the Reds 13.

Match Preview

The Reds will look to continue last week’s winning form when they travel across the Tasman to face the Highlanders, who are keen to atone for a loss to the Crusaders. Join us for live scores and commentary from 5:20pm (AEDT).

Cyclone Marcia swept through Queensland last week but the Reds showed great composure in the wet to roll the Western Force.

In a dark week for the Reds it was their leaders who showed up – in particular Adam Thomson, who was terrific in his first game for his new club.

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This week Thomson is expecting a ‘welcoming party’ facing his old club, where he had a decorated career and sits second on their all-time try-scoring list with 21.

Against the Force Thomson and Gill were terrific in the backrow and the Reds’ scrum was dominant, so dominant that they were able to get a tighthead win and then roll the Force for a penalty try. A bit-part backline, which included Nick Frisby, were superb and simple. Samu Kerevi hits the line hard and Chris Kuridrani was also able to find plenty of space.

This game should be a good attacking battle. Malakai Fekitoa is fast becoming one of the most dangerous centres in the game and he showed it with another try last week. Ben Smith is a world-class performer and Aaron Smith is another All Black who is able to poke holes in an opponent’s defence.

The Highlanders fell to the Crusaders last week but were able to pick up a losing bonus point right on the buzzer courtesy of the boot of Lima Sopoaga.

One thing the Highlanders can’t afford to do is allow the Reds to get a head start like they allowed the Crusaders last week. They were down 13 at halftime and the margin was just a bridge too far.

The last time the Reds played the Highlanders in New Zealand the match was a thriller, with the Reds winning the game 34-33. This should be another tight one – the last six clashes between these sides were decided by seven points or less. The Reds hold the wood over the Highlanders, winning the last four clashes between the two sides in the longest winning streak in history between the two franchises.

Prediction
I’m going with the home-town factor, the Highlanders have plenty of attacking prowess to take out the Reds.

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Highlanders by 6.

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