Feb 25 (Reuters) – The Otago Highlanders scored two
tries in five second-half minutes to overhaul the Waikato Chiefs
23-19 in a bruising Super Rugby season-opener in Hamilton on
Saturday that proved costly for both sides.
The Chiefs led 19-9 into the last quarter but were stunned
by tries to replacement scrumhalf Aaron Smith and inside centre
Phil Burleigh and were shut out repeatedly by desperate
defending in the final minutes.
“The boys showed some spirit… We knew the Chiefs boys
really wanted to step up with their forward pack and we managed
that and it turned out to be quite a good game of footy,”
Highlanders captain Jamie Mackintosh said in a pitchside
interview.
“The way the boys hung on ’til the end, that’s a bit of
character and something to build on.”
The Chiefs lost winger Lelia Masaga to an apparent knee
injury sustained in a tackle in the second half and scrumhalf
Brendan Leonard came off soon after, clutching his hamstring.
The Highlanders also lost flyhalf Chris Noakes to a leg
injury in the final minutes.
The Chiefs’ All Black flyhalf Aaron Cruden was dominant
early, setting up a try and slotting four penalties to drive
Awikato to a 16-9 lead at halftime, but made a howling mistake
under pressure that ultimately cost the game.
Attempting to clear the ball deep in defence, Cruden’s kick
was charged down by replacement hooker Jason Rutledge, who
calmly collected the spilled ball and offloaded to a charging
Burleigh.
The centre cantered over the line in the left corner for the
Highlanders’ second try in the 65th minute. After Noakes’
second conversion, the Highlanders protected the lead grimly to
the end.
Continued…
