Moana adds to Highlanders' misery

REPORT: The Highlanders’ hopes of reaching the Super Rugby play-offs have all but evaporated in Dunedin on Sunday.

The last game of Round 12 in the Pacific championship was a must-win for both Moana Pasifika and the Highlanders.

Pasifika, with All Black Ardie Savea at the forefront, pulled off a stunning 34-29 win, elevating the North Harbour-based side into sixth spot on the competition standings with 24 points.

It also leaves Jamie Joseph’s Highlanders stranded at 10th on the table, only one place ahead of the last-placed Fijian Drua.

The Highlanders were unbeaten against Moana Pasifika, the closest of those matches being earlier on this season in Round Three, where the Highlanders just snuck by, 31-29.

Melani Matavao was the hero for the visitors, with his charge down of a Taine Robinson clearance in the 75th minute resulting in a spectacular dive into the corner.

Patrick Pellegrini’s nerveless conversion from the sideline gave Moana a five-point lead they never relinquished, despite a furious finish by the home side.

It was an unfortunate hero-to-zero moment for Robinson, who had just landed a clutch conversion of a Jack Taylor line-out drive try to give the Highlanders the lead.

The wild final scenes capped off an absorbing contest that featured several lead changes.

Once again, Moana fans were treated to an Ardie Savea masterclass, with the skipper scoring an outrageous second-half try after receiving a pass and putting a kick along the deck that he recovered and got over the try line.

Importantly, it was while Moana were down a player after William Havili had been carded for a high shot on Cam Millar.

This result now sets up a massive clash for Moana with the Blues in a fortnight after their bye, with both sides likely to be able to end each other’s campaigns in what will be the most heated clash between the two so far.

The Highlanders also get a week off to wonder just where it all went wrong, before heading to Wellington to face the Hurricanes.

The scorers

For the Highlanders
Tries: Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Lowe 2, Taylor
Cons: Millar 2), Robinson
Pen: Millar

For Moana Pasifika
Tries: Toala, Lalomilo, Savea, Faiilagi, Matavao
Cons: Garden-Bachop 2, Pellegrini
Pen: Havili

Yellow card: William Havili (Moana Pasifika, 42)

Teams:

Highlanders: 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Sam Gilbert, 13 Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 11 Jonah Lowe, 10 Cameron Millar, 9 Nathan Hastie, 8 Hugh Renton, 7 Sean Withy, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 5 Oliver Haig, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Saula Ma’u, 2 Soane Vikena, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Jack Taylor, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Rohan Winghan, 19 Mitch Dunshea, 20 Veveni Lasaqa, 21 Folau Fakatava, 22 Taine Robinson, 23 Josh Whaanga

Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Tevita Ofa, 13 Lalomilo Lalamilo, , 12 Danny Toala, 11 Kyren Taumoefolau, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7 Ardie Savea (captain), 6 Miracle Faiilagi, 5 Samuel Slade, 4 Tom Savage, 3 Chris Apoua, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 Tito Tuipulotu.
Replacements: 16 Tomasi Maka, 17 Monu Moli, 18 Pone Fa’amausili, 19 Ofa Tauatevalu, 20 Sione Havili Talitui, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Julian Savea, 23 Patrick Pellegrini.

Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Angus Mabey, Mike Winter
TMO: Richard Kelly

* Sources: @RugbyPass & RNZ