The Highlanders have come away with a six-point win after the Blues gave up a lead.
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Final score
Highlanders 26
Blues 20
The Highlanders and Blues will face off in Dunedin with bottom spot in the New Zealand conference up for grabs for the loser. Catch all the live scores, highlights and action on The Roar from 5:35pm (AEST).
With the Australian Conference on the back foot and New Zealand continuing to dominate the world of rugby, it looks likely that the only side to miss out on the finals this season will be the team who finishes bottom of the group.
Much like last year, every single kiwi side has more points than the top Australian side, meaning New Zealand will get all the wildcards bar one team.
So while the Highlanders and Blues have respectable, of not unspectacular, records of three wins and three losses so far in 2017, far better than most sides in the competition, they’re in a huge fight to avoid that last place in the conference.
The Highlanders are currently last, just one point behind the Blues, so the loser of today will take bottom spot into next week as the top sides just push dangerously away from them.
The Highlanders are fresh off a dominant win over the Rebels last week, racking up the half century to win 51-12 at home. They are now three wins from their last four games after a slow start to the year.
Similarly, the Blues are also coming into today’s fixture off a victory, staving off a valiant Force outfit last week to notch up a 24-15 win.
These two sides met only four weeks ago, a home game for the Blues in a grinding affair that saw the Highlanders score the only try of the game to win 16-12.
Team News
The Highlanders will come into the game with a revamped pack this afternoon, making four changes to the scrum from their side who beat the Rebels.
Daniel Lienert-Brown and Siosuia Halanukonuka have come into the starting side, replacing Aki Seiuli and Siate Tokolahi respectively in the front row.
Alex Ainley will come into the back row in place of Joe Wheeler at No.4, while Gareth Evans has been pushed out of the side in favour of Elliot Dixon who will slot in at blindside flanker.
All Black Liam Squire will also be making his return to the Highlanders lineup, landing a spot on the bench after four weeks on the sideline.
For the Blues, coach Tana Umaga will welcome Sonny Bill Williams into the side for the first time since signing, returning from an achilles injury suffered during New Zealand’s Sevens Rio Olympics campaign.
Fellow All Black Steven Luatua has also returned, from suspension, and will replace Jimmy Tupou at No.8, allowing Jerome Kaino to move back to the flank.
Blake Gibson will also return to flanker, on the openside, while Rieko Ioane makes his way into the starting side at outside centre.
Scott Scrafton will also get a promotion into the run-on side for today in the back row.
Prediction
This is shaping up to be a good game of rugby. Two sides with equal records, plenty of motivation to play for and similar styles of play. It really could go either way.
The Highlanders have the home ground advantage and a win over the Blues already this season, so they get the pick this week.
Highlanders to win by 8
Highlander
Guest
G'day gents, and thanks for those congrats to the Southerners. Missed this one live, stepped off a plane into a dinner appointment, Mrs Highlander normally better than that, there will a team meeting to review process Monday. After watching the replay a few observations if I may. 1. Jamie Nutbrown annoys the hell out of me, a classic - referees one team at a time ref, and I thought we got caned for the first hour, but we did have a few go our way when it mattered at the end. Real effort to be within 7 at the break. 2. At the hour when the Landers stepped the pace up, seemed the Blues struggled to go with them. 3. Blues still struggle,for patience, push too many passes - although they were heaps better than the first game at Eden Park, they still, find a way to turn the ball over. 4. Don't think there is any doubt who the best defensive centre in NZ at the moment, and he is getting the sniff of the line back again. That's twice Feks has kept the Blues midfield quiet, did it to ALB, did it to Kuridrani, if he could catch on a consistent basis we might be onto something. 5. Love the Smiths, just awesome the pair of them, Ben still looks a little underdone fitness wise, Aaron drove that team around the park all day today, real good. 6. Only one winner of the coaching battle tonight I thought, although Blues game plan for first half was well executed. Bye comes at a good time now, need Sopoaga and Naholo back to really kick on.
Machpants
Roar Guru
Lack of composure, really describes the blues
Mark
Guest
Another performance from the Blues full of stupidity Its one thing not being able to find a 1st Five Its quite another having Parsons as your Hooker - what a complete waste of space - him and Moala are clearly auditioning for a Dumb and Dumber remake
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Not wrong Chook ... we are trying to score off every play.... we did not handle the rush defence tonight ... but a learning curve... I just dunno why it is so hard to win away!.... lol
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Thanks NV, but the performance lead to a loss .... so no consolations... I really believe we will hit our straps over the next couple of games once we have a settled top 23.... Too many simple little errors due to a lack of patience... Anyhow they have my unconditional support (dunno why!... lol)
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
I would still rate it as Blues best 80 minutes performance this season. They really could have won that game.Highlanders rode their luck. Ben, Aaron and Liam showed what being a starting AB is all about. Without them it would have been an easy win for the Blues.
Machooka
Roar Guru
We are the 'blues brothers' Tragic... played a good tune but it's not Top 40 stuff!?! Happy days H'lander and Muzzo... da South still can, well, can still. Smooth as always Connor :)
Connor Bennett
Editor
» Click here to read the full match report On top of the Sunwolves thriller against the Bulls, the night is far from over!! Join me in about two minutes as we head over to Canberra for the Brumbies vs Reds!! Kickoff at 7:45
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME After that second half the Blues should count themselves lucky that they only lost by six points, but they had a big first half that had the Highlanders under the pump. A 13-0 second half though got the Highlanders home in a thrilling contest as they took control of the game in the second half, dominating in defence and turning that pressure into attack and onto the scoreboard. They probably should have had more points from it but the Blues didn't give up despite their ball handling going out the window. A tight and heart in mouth final ten minutes made for a ripper game, one in which the Highlanders deservedly take the points from. Highlanders - 26 Blues - 20
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the blog Conner ...
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Congratulations Highlander... too good. It was a hard fought game, possibly indicative of the fact that loser might find it very difficult to make it to the playoffs .. Blues need to take stock ... they certainly had their chances ... to be fair underdogs tonight but I really thought they might have a chance... Maybe 'on a wing and a prayer', but I believe the Blues are about to get it together ... tonight was their 4th loss for the season but at least they did not drop their bundle .... a few errors were costly against a side who has lost two home games and knew that if they failed in this contest, it was good night Irene ... (with respect to Irene..)
Die hard
Roar Rookie
There were many good performances tonight. A really high quality game. I was surprised by how good the highlander set piece has become. Awesome game from all the loosies but Luatua and Squire stood out. A lot of sense and purpose from both teams.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
"And that is why many people think that Ben Smith is the best player in the world" TJ Completely agree. He is just too good.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
80' The front row eats the grass as the scrum hits the deck. The Blues want a penalty but the ref calls for a reset and that will be enough to wind the clock down to the siren. The Landers just need to win this scrum and the game is theirs. And they do just that. Highlanders hold on for the win!! Highlanders – 26 Blues – 20
Connor Bennett
Editor
79' The Highlanders doing a good job of slowing down the ruck, giving their defence time to set out wide... and the Blues have thrown it away. They spill the beans down the right wing and the Landers are pumped, they know that could be the game. Highlanders – 26 Blues – 20
Connor Bennett
Editor
78' The Highlanders don't hesitate to kick it back to them though and the Blues are throwing it around all over the place, looking for something, anything, to get this game. They have a long way to go still as they land up on halfway with 10 phases in their pocket. Highlanders – 26 Blues – 20
Connor Bennett
Editor
77' The Blues are running out of their own 22 but they don't have much of a choice at this point... and Gibson is through!!! The big man into back play and he puts the kick in, but Ben Smith has pulled off an incredible stop there for the Landers!!! Highlanders – 26 Blues – 20
Connor Bennett
Editor
76' The ball is caught up there for the Landers in centre field... and the Blues are rewarded with the scrum. That's a nice bit of work there to keep the ball up ad complete the turn over. They're running out of time though. Highlanders – 26 Blues – 20
Connor Bennett
Editor
75' Box kick again comes from the Highlanders... but this time they snatch it up on the chase and they are on the edge of the 22 with ball in hand and a six point lead. Highlanders – 26 Blues – 20