April 20 (Reuters) – The Otago Highlanders heaped more
pressure on Auckland coach Pat Lam by beating the Blues 30-27 in
a scrappy Super Rugby clash in Dunedin that was dominated by the
kickers.
Highlanders flyhalf Mike Delaney kicked six penalties and a
conversion and the home side crossed for two tries to claim
their sixth win of the season and close the gap on the New
Zealand Conference leaders, Waikato Chiefs.
The Blues showed a much more spirited performance than in
recent weeks and started brightly as they looked to end a run of
four consecutive defeats.
Rookie fullback Hadleigh Parkes put the Blues ahead in the
fourth minute after the Highlanders, looking rusty after coming
off a bye week, gifted away possession in their own 22.
Centre Shaun Treeby fumbled a pass from scrumhalf Aaron
Smith and the Blues moved the ball wide for Parkes to cross in
the corner.
“It was probably the exact opposite of how we wanted to
start. We knew if we gave them a start they would be in it for
the whole game,” Highlanders captain Jamie Mackintosh said in a
pitchside interview.
Treeby did not dwell on the mistake and he was on hand to
dart clear for the Highlanders opening try eight minutes later
after Delaney started the move with an exceptional reverse pass.
Both sides were then guilty of ill-discipline as the match
turned into a kicking duel with Delaney and Blues’ flyhalf
Gareth Anscombe trading efforts as the home side went in at
halftime 16-14 ahead.
A plethora of penalties followed at the start of the second
half as the lead changed hands frequently, prompting referee
Bryce Lawrence to warn both sides but he somehow refrained from
showing any yellow cards.
Continued…
