In a highly entertaining contest, the Waratahs have fallen short against the Highlanders, going down 44-28.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Highlanders 44
Waratahs 28
In what is becoming mission impossible, the Waratahs will attempt to become the first Australian team to defeat a New Zealand side this season when they fly to Dunedin to take on the Highlanders. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:35pm AEST.
The Waratahs are coming off a high-scoring victory against the Rebels last Sunday, piling on over 50 points against the Melbourne-based outfit.
NSW however are in danger of conceding a half century of points themselves tonight if they fail to show up for 80 minutes against a Highlanders team that put over 60 points on the Force last week.
Indeed given the current imposing winning streak that Kiwi sides have over the Australian conference, the Waratahs will have to overcome psychological as well as physical barriers to defeat the Highlanders away from home.
All Australian Super Rugby sides are playing like teams that have already succumbed to defeat against New Zealand opponents long before kickoff. Too often have Australian sides this season competed for 40 minutes or so only to drop off considerably as the contest wears on.
The Waratahs certainly possess the skill and talent required to challenge the Highlanders tonight, but do they have the nerve to fight tooth and nail for a result?
Can they knuckle down and go to war against a Highlanders team that will do everything to maintain New Zealnd’s unbeaten run against Australian sides this season?
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In team news Ben Smith will equal Anton Oliver’s record of 127 matches for the Highlanders this Saturday, after being named at fullback to take on the Waratahs at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Smith replaces Matt Faddess at fullback, with the latter dropping out of the squad completely.
Elsewhere, All Black Waisake Naholo returns after serving a one-week suspension and is a straight swap for Patrick Osborne.
Scrum-half Aaron Smith returns to the starting line-up, which sees Kayne Hammington drop to the bench.
Luke Whitelock’s return from injury is the final change in the starting side and sees a reshuffle in the back row with Whitelock forcing Elliot Dixon to blindside flanker and Gareth Evans dropping to the bench.
With the Highlanders back on home soil for the first time in over three weeks, they will be keen to put the Waratahs to the sword and continue their push up the NZ conference.
Prediction
The Highlanders are close to full strength for tonight’s contest, meaning that the 2015 champions will be primed for an assault. The Waratahs need to roll up their sleeves tonight, and if they do that, they are a chance. If not, the Highlanders will win well.
Highlanders by 14
Vic rugby
Guest
And yet he is still the best in Australia ??
Gepetto
Guest
It's "You're" Mapu.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yeah just kidding, the refereeing lately leaves a lot to be desired. We've seen it in all three countries in the last week.
Mapu
Guest
Your the banker
MH01
Guest
Take 14 points off highlanders , they still win. Anyway it's academic, reffing is plain broken in rugby, Blame the overly complex rules that give the ref so much control through interpretation. I have to admit rugby TMOs are plain blind.....they must watch different replays to us.
Steve Wright
Guest
They what????
Steve Wright
Guest
Yeah, bit like Brisbane... dodging the raindrops .... the bogans on the roads..... roads built by humpbacks.....boots rotting while you watch.......but no clowns playing rugger.
Cynical Play
Guest
He's aReds tragic. Needs rehab but won't give in. Hates the Tahs. But really hates that his Reds are so pathetic. Doctors say it's terminal and to just humour him.
Dave
Guest
You are doing your best to blame them though, whiner
Gepetto
Guest
Fox commentators agree Bernard is by far the best #10 in the country. Poor passes, missing touch, aimless kicking and missed tackles like the ones we saw tonight are apparently rare events.
Gepetto
Guest
Biased TMO and Kiwi banker Shane McDermott only cheated the Reds out of a try and an unwarranted Yellow card when they last played a NZ team - He robbed the Tahs of 14 points by awarding two tries to the Highlanders which should have been disallowed. I need to check whether Shane is involved before making my footy tips in future.
Cynical Play
Guest
..that's it in a nutshell..
Cynical Play
Guest
yeah,,,there's so much else to do in Dunedin, ... count rain-drops...read wikipedia about other places ... make possum fur cardigans... bugger the footy..
Cynical Play
Guest
always can predict your mouth.... ugly as it is
Cynical Play
Guest
maybe watch the game before you open you mouth and reveal your IQ
double agent
Guest
FFS what do you expect him to say? We expect to lose and will play accordingly?
Clifto
Guest
Haha gold
Zero Gain
Guest
Gibson 'pro-active'. Now that is quite funny.
Marlin
Guest
Didn't see the game sadly but i note that Paul Cully today said Foley was the best 10 in Australia - god help us when the best 10 going around can't throw a pass - WTF?
Marlin
Guest
Didn't see the game sadly but i note that Paul Cully today said Foley was the best 10 in Australia - god help us when the best 10 going around can't throw a pass - WTF?