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.
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′)
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.
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.
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.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Was at the ground and we all reckoned they must have sprayed something like sticky goo on the hands of the Tahs players at half time. First half was a shambles, Groundhog Day every 5-6 minutes. Tahs on attack midfield and looking good, Zoolanders getting stretched then DROPPED ball; K.Beale and W.Palu, take a bow! Highlanders counter attack with speed. The other area the Tahs were getting smashed in was positioning of the 'Lander's kicks. The back three seemed clueless, the long kicks going into open space so retrievers being caught out by rushing defence. After half time it seemed the wingers stood back a bit more, so countered the kicks a lot better. I haven't seen the replay yet so I could be wrong there. Second half was better but we were all amazed at the Tahs's try from the ruck being awarded, surely T.Robertson was offside. Maybe home side ref. And I thought Jack Dempsey was awarded the try off the maul. Maybe blurred vision from tears and/or beer ingestion. Typical a dropped ball finished off the Tahs' comeback in 79th minute. Anyways, the right side won so big party in Bondi all Friday night. The cricket and Tah! Bah to the Land of the Long White Rain.
olfella60
Guest
I must have missed them
olfella60
Guest
First match back from jury !!.........he is always just coming back from injury....it's the the old joke .." 1 week in 3 weeks out "
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Yes indeed, he had some outstanding periods over the past years. In any case as it's his first match back from injury what's the point of judging him now... I do wonder if he shouldn't return to the wide running of his earlier career though.
Utah
Guest
2014 Super Season was one of Palu's best. He also had a couple of very good games last year, namely against the Brumbies in Sydney where he was huge. His form has dropped off, but that comment is a massive exaggeration.
Muzzo
Guest
As they sat Allanthus, by a country mile!!!!!Clearly, is something the officials are having difficulty seeing.
Muzzo
Guest
At least Red Block, whilst Palu, was on the paddock, he gave it his best shot. Apart from knocking on early, he really came back, possibly knowing, due to possibly not being up to full fitness, he would be pulled at the break. Overall, I thought his effort was very good, & far better, than what Skelton produced. Hard luck in missing out on your 13+, so now it shouldn't be too hard to work out your finance.
ClarkeG
Guest
For a try to be scored in such circumstances there has to be a brain fade by the officials and that is what occurred here. 99 out of 100 times Robertson is offside but not according to the officials on this occasion. Robertson initially held the ball carrier - it became a maul - the maul went to ground (there was no ruck) - Robertson had become detached from the maul and picked it up from an offside position when the ball popped out. To be onside he would have had to retire behind his teams side of the maul then come back to pick the ball up.
Muzzo
Guest
I think it's the beard Tragic. lol
Olfella
Guest
There must be something going on at the Waratahs that us fans are kept in the dark about.....and that is, why in the hell is Wycliffe Palu still in the squad let alone in the run on side ? Not only has he been injury prone but he lost form about 6 years ago. His efforts in last nights game is another classic example of how useless he is. He once was a great player.....once !
Highlander
Guest
Yeah, that was a shocker, Briant froze
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Not a chance, have a look at the replay - there is a ruck formed by a number of players. He was lurking, clearly offside.
BluesMan
Guest
He was a tackler and the ruck wasn't formed.
CUW
Guest
just wondering about that 3rd NSW try by the hooker? was he not off side (coming in from the side of the ruck?)
Taylorman
Guest
Landers only loss to the Blues do far still, gotta mean something? Na, probably not!
Bobbo7
Guest
Great night. The Highlanders get up and NZ win the cricket!
Existentialist
Guest
How's that calculation going Red Block?
Brett McKay
Expert
And The Crowd now leads... :mad:
Connor Bennett
Editor
Stronger than Glenn McGrath's front foot defence at the moment
Scott
Roar Rookie
Tahs are looking strong again this year. Good call connor