The Highlanders have produced a late blitz, with fullback Matt Faddes completing a hat-trick of tries, to beat Super Rugby strugglers the Southern Kings 48-18 in Port Elizabeth.
The Kings, seeking just their third win of the season, had closed to within two points before the Highlanders, who were resting most of their All Blacks, touched down four times in the last 12 minutes.
Jack Wilson got the first when set up by fellow wing Patrick Osborne’s deft offload.
Osborne then turned scorer, the beneficiary of a pin-point cross kick from first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga.
Faddes secured his third five-pointer before replacement prop Aki Seiuli got the defending champions’ seventh try after the hooter.
The bonus-point victory on Sunday morning (NZT) kept the Highlanders in a play-off spot with two rounds to go.
Of their seven players involved in New Zealand’s Test series against Wales, only two – Sopoaga, who started, and loose forward Liam Squire, who came off the bench – took the field.
The Highlanders next face the Jaguares and they will be joined in Argentina by the rest of their All Blacks contingent – Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Aaron Smith and Elliot Dixon.
The Kings had midfielder Shane Gates yellow-carded in the 17th minute for a tip-tackle on lock Tom Franklin and the Highlanders took advantage of the extra man as Faddes scored.
The Kings struck just before halftime when wing Wandile Mjekevu touched down.
Faddes’ second five-pointer and a try to flanker Dan Pryor gave the Highlanders some breathing space early in the second half.
Kings skipper Steven Sykes offered the home fans hopes of an upset, the lock grabbing a converted try that made the score 20-18.
But the Highlanders produced their emphatic finish to blow out the score.
Daveyboy
Guest
I think you'll find it goes on who qualified highest in their conference, then wins, then points. That's why the Brumbies are leading the Tahs on the table -the Tahs have the better PD but the Brumbies have one extra win.
wardad
Guest
Semantic nonsense seeing as how they played them at least twice.Whats with all your aggro ? I noticed on the NH vs SH blog by Armand you were getting all bent out of shape .You need to pull your head in a bit as being contrary just for the sake of it is getting old .
Kiwihaydn
Guest
The sooner they ditch these guys and bring in a PI team the better. How much better would three conferences be with: 5 NZ teams plus 1 PI 5 Oz teams plus Sunwolves 5 SA teams plus Jaguares A much easier travel schedule too. The Highlanders put up a B team and still racked up almost 50 points, away from home in SA. Not even the Kings fans decided to turn up, what a waste of time.
A.O.Tear Rower
Guest
At least twice? At the most twice. Or do you think they will make the finals?
A.O.Tear Rower
Guest
Nope. They are not garanteed of hosting any finals at all. NZ and Aus are though, they are both garanteed a qtr final each. If the Sun Wolves and Jaguares top their conferences in the future its possible that they wont even host a qtr final in SA let alone the final. This year it might host the final if The Lions or Stormers make it but if they dont then its probably going to be held in NZ or Aus. As I understand it it goes on who qualified highest in their conference, then points, then wins. So if the Sharks and Crusaders make the final then its likely the final will be in NZ. Id like it if somebody corrected me if Im wrong.
Whakaata
Guest
Absolutely it is. This conference system is designed to benefit the top South African teams. Guaranteed to host the final.
wardad
Guest
Gee wizz the Kings are certainly better value than a PI team in the comp arent they ? Are these poor buggers just in the comp for some easy points to teams that play them at least twice ?