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Waratahs vs Highlanders highlights: Highlanders hold off late Tahs comeback to win by 4

18th March, 2016
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 7:45pm (AEDT)
Referee: Nick Briant (NZ)
TV: Fox Sports 2 live channel 502.
Betting: Waratahs $1.59, draw $26, Highlanders $2.38

Waratahs
(15-1): Israel Folau, Matt Carraro, Rob Horne, David Horwitz, Zac Guildford, Kurtley Beale, Nick Phipps, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper (c), David Dennis, Will Skelton, Dean Mumm, Angus Ta'avao, Tolu Latu, Paddy Ryan
Reserves: Hugh Roach, Jeremy Tilse, Tom Robertson, Sam Lousi, Jed Holloway, Jack Dempsey, Matt Lucas, Reece Robinson

Highlanders
(15-1): Ben Smith (co-captain), Matt Faddes, Malakai Fekitoa, Rob Thompson, Ryan Tongia, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Liam Squire, Shane Christie (co-captain), Elliot Dixon, Tom Franklin, Alex Ainley, Siosiua Halanukonuka, Liam Coltman, Brendon Edmonds
Reserves: Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Ross Geldenhuys, Mark Reddish, Gareth Evans, Josh Renton, Hayden Parker, Jason Emery
The Hurricanes return to the scene of their 2015 semi-final triumph, against the Waratahs. (Source: AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Editor
18th March, 2016
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Match Result:

The Highlanders have dominated an error ridden Waratahs outfit to take the four points away from home despite a late resurgence from the 2014 champions.

The Highlanders stretched out to a 30-nil lead mid way through the second half but the Waratahs never say die attitude brought them scrapping back in to the contest and within four points with just seven minutes remaining.

First half tries to Ryan Tongia, Liam Squire and Elliot Dixon blew the hosts out of the water right out of the gate, extending their lead to 22 at half time.

Both sides came out of the sheds with more of the same as the Waratahs failed with ball retention and continued to gift the visitors easy possession and points. Dixon added his name to the try scorers list for the second time just seven minutes in to the half to further sink the Tahs.

A cheeky drop goal in broken play from Sopoaga in the 55th minute would be the last of the points for the Highlanders as the Waratahs mounted a late comeback.

Jed Holloway scored a stunning second half hat-trick in just 16 minutes as the Highlanders began to coast and let up in the late stages.

Another five pointer to debutant Tom Robertson, just four minutes after coming on to the pitch, and a treble of conversions from Kurtley Beale brought the Waratahs within striking distance but it was all too little too late.

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Kicking accuracy hurt both sides throughout the contest with a total of four conversions and three penalty goals missed between Beale and Sopoaga.

Despite the end score line it really was the Highlanders night in Sydney, making a mess of the Waratahs offence and defence a like with a show of pure strength and pressure. Whenever the Waratahs looked like they were getting back in the contest, they would shoot themselves in the foot with a dropped ball or wayward pass, not to mention the three separate occasions that they couldn’t find touch off a free kick.

The Highlanders now slip ahead of Chiefs in the standings for the time being, while the Waratahs will travel to Brisbane next week trying to get their season on track.

Match Scores:
Waratahs – 26 (TRY Holloway 56′ 65′ 72′, Robertson 68′)
Highlanders – 30 (TRY Tongia 11′, Squire 29′, Dixon 36′ 47′ PEN Sopoaga 18′. FG Sopoaga 55′)

Match Preview:

The Waratahs and Highlanders meet in Sydney for a rematch of last year’s semi-final at the very same venue. Join The Roar for all the big tries and action from 7:45pm (AEDT).

The Waratahs are seeking revenge after being embarrassed in last season’s semi-final.

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The Tahs had the week off, with the bye in Round 3, after a win and a loss to start their season against fellow Australian conference sides the Reds and Brumbies respectively.

The Highlanders are just one point behind the Chiefs at the top of the New Zealand standings after three games, having lost their opener, then packing on back-to-back victories over the Hurricanes and Lions.

Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has named five changes to his line-up, with Wallaby Wycliff Palu being handed his first start of the season at number 8 at the expense of Jed Holloway.

Tolu Latu is the other alteration to the run-on side, slotting in at hooker to round out the front row after Tatafu Polota-Nau suffered a shocking broken arm against the Brumbies in Round 2.

Former Bronco, Raider and Eel Reece Robinson has a bench spot and a chance to make his Super Rugby debut. He will be joined on the pine by front rowers Hugh Roach and Tom Robertson.

There were high hopes for a Bernard Foley return but he will have to wait another week, with Kurtley Beale again pulling on the sky blue 10 jersey.

The Highlanders have been one of the hardest hit sides in terms of injuries since taking out their maiden Super Rugby crown last year. Joe Wheeler, Dan Pryor, Luke Whitelock and Pat Osborne have all been ruled out for this round, joining Waisake Naholo, Marty Banks, Fumiaki Tanaka, Tei Walden and Josh Hohneck in the casualty ward this season.

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Tom Franklin comes back into the number 8 spot after a week off, joined in the starting forward pack by Shane Christie at openside flanker and Liam Squire in the back row.

Ryan Tongia takes his place in the reserves, coming in for the aforementioned Pat Osborne. He’s joined on the bench by Mark Reddish, who returns from a shoulder injury.

The Waratahs boast a 13-7 win loss record against the Highlanders, also having won three of the last four encounters played in Australia.

Contrastingly, despite the Waratahs having enjoyed recent success against Kiwi sides, winning seven of their last nine games against opponents from across the ditch, both of those two losses came against the Highlanders.

Prediction
At home with a strong crowd and a depleted opposition in front of them, the Tahs should sneak home.

Waratahs 28-23 Highlanders

Can the Highlanders spoil the party away from home and take the points? Or will the Waratahs bounce back from their loss to the Brumbies and slide up the standings? Join The Roar from 7:45pm (AEDT) for all the action.

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