A stand-out match from All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith has guided the Highlanders to a 41-34 win over the Blues in their Super Rugby season-opener in Dunedin.
Smith’s intelligent kicking, sharp running and bullet passes proved pivotal as the Highlanders ran in five tries to the Blues’ four in Friday’s match at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The second-half sin-binning of Blues loose forward Antonio Kiri Kiri proved equally influential, with the Highlanders scoring twice in his absence to take a seven-point lead which they held to the end.
A full-on start featured turnovers and line breaks in equal measure, the Highlanders opening the scoring with a Lima Sopoaga penalty in the 10th minute.
The Blues responded five minutes later, Bryn Gatland crossing after a move which featured breaks first from Sonny Bill Williams then James Parsons.
That triggered a series of tit-for-tat tries, the lead changing hands with each one.
Highlanders centre Rob Thompson crossed for the first of his two in the 20th minute, only for Matt Duffie to hit back four minutes later down the short side after brilliant offloading from Williams and Rieko Ioane.
Thompson grabbed his second as the half-hour mark approached, Smith wrapping around to create the space for the centre to crash through and give the home team a 17-14 lead.
However, the Blues finished strongly, Akira Ioane striking with deadly effect from the back of an attacking scrum one minute from halftime, before Gatland’s stoppage-time penalty gave them a 24-17 lead at the break.
The second half proved equally up tempo, the Highlanders levelling the scores just three minutes after the restart.
Prop Siate Tokolahi barged over after Smith’s quick tap from a penalty gave the Highlanders some momentum, but the Blues hit back almost immediately through Akira Ioane to lead 31-24.
The Highlanders took full advantage of Kiri Kiri’s 54th-minute yellow card for a high tackle on Sopoaga, inside centre Tei Walden crossing twice in four minutes.
The Highlanders maintained their seven-point lead with an exchange of penalties, holding on despite intense pressure from the Blues until the final whistle.
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
A long penalty kicked by the Chiefs and then a penalty conceded inside 22. 26-23 Crusaders.
The Sheriff
Guest
Great game to watch.
Mmmmm..k
Guest
Sigh. SBW was never going to catch him and he isn't supposed to be a sweeper that chases up on others lapses on defense. Your example is a bit ridiculous tbh. The Highlanders didn't catch out SBW. They played well but centres don't follow their opposites around and only tackle their opposites. They actually only tackle their opposites once or twice a game usually. SBW had a great game defensively, he didn't make a bad read and made all his tackles. His passing was exceptional and he broke the line. However, when others made a bad read and SBW had no chance of stopping the try he didn't. So yeah, SBW played badly.
Highlander
Guest
All a little unsure what we would get after his England experience, all good so far must say
Fox
Roar Guru
Yeah that's fair Highlander - good analysis - Mauger will thrive back home I think
Fox
Roar Guru
Yes Reds -too fast on the keyboard there before I realized oops
Highlander
Guest
Not saying that at all Fox, very midfield specific When as the last time SBW and Moala ran for a combined 22m in a game. Mauger had a very specific tactic of switching his midfield backs in behind the ruck and attacking straight from there. First try we have both centres lined up against the Blues front row 10m out, a simple score in the end. Pretty clear to see in our tries, Walden/Thomson were really good for a couple of relative novices. Big part of the game. SBW/Moala never adjusted, advantage Mauger I think on that one.
Fox
Roar Guru
The lead changed so may times Highlander I don't think you can say the Blues were completely out thought throughout the game. The Highlanders were better at 9 all game and 10 in the second half with Smith back to his very best.
Highlander
Guest
Highlanders midfielders constantly swapped sides behind the ruck and caught out SBW and Moala. Watch Thompson’s big midfield break for a try and watch SBW, moves waaay too late, probably the most obvious example. To varying degrees that is where all the Highlanders try’s came from. Isolated slower players to attack by getting the Blues centres out of position, was really clever. Completely out thought.
Highlander
Guest
Certainly is, Highlanders select3d two guys to close down SBW and Moala, tick. We attacked the middle of the park all night, scored four from it, tick. All very nicely planned and executed. Even dropped a centre who scored a hatrick against the Crusaders in last weeks trial to implement.
Mmmmm..k
Guest
SBW didn't miss a tackle or make a poor read on defense. But that's a poor game defensively? No, it's a good game in defense.
Mmmmm..k
Guest
No, that's wrong. If you miss tackles and have made "bad reads" in defense you've had a poor game defensively. That's how it works. Not, "well he's wearing the same number as you and he's on the opposite team so your the only one who ever defends against him". That's not how it works at all.
Highlander
Guest
James Parsons was your best TM, Blues 8 were better than expected, very quick wide out too. Still not thinking Pulu is a good choice
Mmmmm..k
Guest
Like Brad Thorn
Highlander
Guest
When your two opposites score four tries between them you have not had a good game defensively. Mauger made a great choice with Walden/Thomson in our midfield and SBW/Moala, two internationals, came a big second.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
I really feel with the Blues players and fans. However one chooses to spin it, it was the bounce of the ball that decided yesterdays game. Highlanders got the freak lucky bounce to score a try, and when Rieko had the afterburner on with five minutes to go, the ball just refused to just give a little help and a try that looked dead certain somehow did not happen.
DanFan
Guest
Like the Reds?
Fionn
Guest
That's fair. Still, good for the team for the third choice to be pushing for a spot in the 23, and means you'll have good injury cover. Blues looked very good actually. Both teams did. I just think that at 9, 10 and 15 (three key positions) the Highlanders were better. Blues probably had more brute force power, but the Highlanders had more finesse. Aaron Smith is incredible.
Fox
Roar Guru
Totally agree Hmmmm...k SBW was excellent carrying ion his form from the Euro AB Tour. But yeah they need to find a way when down to 14 men but the new laws and the attacking side on the ight side of the ruck penalties big time and with less being committed to the ruck makes defending with one less man more problematic IMO...the Red's found that out as well. It more difficult to pilfer the ball now.
Fox
Roar Guru
Yeah I agree Fionn he looked good but his competition are very good as well.