The Highlanders have won a brutal encounter over the Western Force 32-20 in Dunedin to surge to the top of the Super Rugby standings.
The defending champions snared their fifth successive victory but it was tougher than they may have contemplated against the abrasive visitors, who suffered a fourth straight defeat.
The game was marred by numerous injury stoppages, most notably for head clashes.
The worst was an apparently serious injury to Force No.8 Angus Cottrell, who exited on a stretcher with his neck in a brace midway through the second half following a lengthy stoppage.
All Blacks fullback Ben Smith didn’t return following a head knock soon after halftime while prop Brendon Edmonds limped off with what appeared to be a serious knee injury early in the game.
It didn’t stop the Highlanders unleashing a dominant scrum, which was the biggest difference between the teams in a surprisingly even affair.
The Highlanders’ ability to score from long range was also impressive, when they held onto the ball.
Their handling errors and poor options in the first half left the door open for the Force, who scored two unconverted tries inside the first 10 minutes.
The first, to fullback Dane Haylett-Petty, came from a disastrous pass from Highlanders winger Patrick Osborne on his own tryline.
Force No.8 Ben McCalman doubled the lead before the Highlanders bagged high-octane tries to Osborne and flanker Dan Pryor to level the scores at 14-14 at halftime.
Force five-eighth Peter Grant and Highlanders opposite Hayden Parker – standing in for the injured Lima Sopoaga – traded penalties before Matt Faddes started and finished another long-range try.
The teams traded penalties again but the hosts sealed victory when reserve back Jason Emery crossed for their fourth try in the 76th minute.
The result ended a run of four wins on Highlanders soil for the Force.
They end their three-match New Zealand tour without a win, having suffered heavy losses to the Hurricanes and Chiefs. Their Kiwi torment could continue next week when they host the Crusaders.
Conversely, the Highlanders have won three in a row against Australian teams and will want to continue that next week against Queensland in Brisbane.
The Highlanders sit three points clear at the top of the overall standings although they could be surpassed by the Chiefs or Brumbies, who meet in Canberra on Saturday.
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
What was up with the uncontested scrums? I know the Highlanders had lost first Edmonds and then Leinart-Brown, and the two props on the field were technically tight-heads (Halanukonuka & Hohneck) but why can't a tight-head pack down as a loose-head? (Quite apart from the fact that Halanukonuka has played loose-head before!) I know Faulkner props both sides for the Force, because he used to be Pek Cowan's back-up. Is propping really so specialised now that props can't change position?
Phill
Guest
Nobody plays rugby apart from the Kiwi's eh? Takes two teams to make a game. Yes, a lot of handling errors from the Highlanders, but pressure from the Force contributed to a lot of that. How come we haven't seen that many errors from them after they've played the 'better' teams? Highlanders are a superb side, as most of the Kiwi sides are. Handling is one of the areas that puts the Kiwi sides ahead of the rest of the world. Force gave it a go, but class shines through, as per usual. I'm a Force fan and have been disappointed by the three games in NZ. The first half in all three games has been ok, but they need to play for 80 minutes. Bench lacks quality impact players and they don't seem to have that huge defence that held them in games two seasons ago. Highlanders and Chiefs continue to show how rugby should be played, with the 'Canes and Crusaders only a sniff behind. Way ahead of most of the rest of the competition.
CUW
Guest
when the guys put the ball down it was not becoz of pressure, it was becoz either the pass was pushed or the pass was not in front. at super level IMO , better players can hold the ball under pressure. execution is something the all blacks are famos for pressure or not and the same is expected of the super teams. and it was not only one team, even blues for the initial half were dropping it badly. if there was nay pressure on a team - go watch the crusadrs match , where the ref was clearly biased. now that is pressure becoz no matter how right u think u are , ur wrong in the eyes of the man that matters !!!
Demak
Roar Rookie
They had so many errors because the Force put them under pressure...open your eyes and give credit where it's due
CUW
Guest
nah, the highlanders were dropping the ball too much - i think 18 handling errors to 6. if they held the ball a bit more, the score would have been close to double.... i mean when rob thompson dropped the ball down the right flank it was 2 on 1 with faddes and another outside him with like 20m to run. when pryor missed the ball in first half down left flank, it was simillar situ. dropping the ball is dad normally but when it happens with a potential score beckoning, its a tragedy. just hope these lost points and scores do not come to bite the highlanders by the end of season.
CUW
Guest
if records were broken , it would be for home on home injuries. had it been a war there would be a national enquirey on the number of friendly fire cases !!!! also it must be the first match in a very very long time that the subs were used actually for injuries (like in the old days) than strategically.
Cynical Play
Guest
Excuse the typo
Campbell Watts
Guest
every good forward back needs a great 7! No doubting that! ;)
Taylorman
Guest
For leaguies at least...?
ben
Guest
7?
Die hard
Roar Rookie
I was impressed enough to stop nicknaming them the farce. A very good effort third week in NZ. I thought they might drop their bundle.
aussikiwi
Guest
That was a weird game, right down to the last play. Surely some records were broken (kicks and handling errors?). Force were brave, deserved a bonus point at least.
Cynical Play
Guest
How good is A Smith. He's the best 7 I've ever seen. His inside balls, his dummy runs, his all-round lightning movements... and his fitness. Just goes to show that a great 7 is integral to a great side...he didn't deserve the YC (great reffing btw). He also shows that a great forward back needs a great 7. No 7 is called half-back as he really is half-forward as Smith is with this pack...
Taylorman
Guest
Yes Aaron Smith continues to shine, and like last year he just seems to be in top form from start to end of the season. His box kicking is pinpoint and causes all sorts of problems for the defence. With his pass as you say, a great nose for the run, and add to that a huge work rate, this boy is knocking on the door of the greats.
ben
Guest
Good effort by the force compared to their last 2 games. I paid particular attention to Elliot Dixon, being one of those tagged by Steve Hansen. He was on and off a couple of times for his bleeding head. Stole a couple of lineouts, some tough defence but pretty quiet all round. As opposed to Liam Squire who was outstanding at 8. He was in one of the abs wider training squads and showed why they are interested. I thought Pryor on the flank was great too. Really got around and except for a couple of handling errors, deserved his try. Arran Smiths pass seems pinpoint everytime, especially to the close in rampaging hitup men. Right in the bread basket everytime. I think that contributes a lot to their go forward close in. Waratahs and Force scrums both need a lot of work.
Cynical Play
Guest
Well done to the Force who had a red hot go and took it to the landers. They were in the match until the last 5 mins. They would be disappointed but can be proud of that performance notwithstanding some sett piece problems.