Highlanders edge Bulls in arm-wrestle

The Highlanders kept their play-off hopes alive with a hard-earned 16-11 win over a very physical Bulls side in their Super Rugby encounter in Dunedin on Saturday.

The win in a tense arm-wrestle that went right down to the wire saw the Highlanders move back into the top six on the global standings.

For the Bulls the losing bonus point kept them -albeit temporary – in first place in the South African conference and second on the global standings.

The Bulls made liberal use of the boot in the first half, while the Highlanders opted to run everything.

However, the visitors were far more accurate in their execution, especially the kick-chase, and that saw them gain an edge on the scoreboard – two Morné Steyn penalties to one fro, Mike Delany making it 6-3 for the Bulls at the break.

After the break the Highlanders continued their wide game, trying to stretch the Bulls;' big forwards, and they got early reward through a Delany penalty that squared up the match on the scoreboard.

It also wasn't long before the cavalry arrived off the bench, veteran All Black Andrew Hore and bruiser Hoani MacDonald adding to the Highlanders' forward muscle.

There was a crucial call by the referee as the final quarter approached, when he yellow carded Bulls prop Dean Greyling for repeated offences at the breakdown – reducing the visitors to 14 men.

The Bulls also called on some reinforcements – Wilhelm Steenkamp and JJ Engelbrecht getting into the arm-wrestle.

The Highlanders remained camped near the Bulls' line and soon enough there was a pile of bodies over the line. However, the TMO failed to find a grounding and the home team had to start again … from a five-metre scrum.

And this time Jarrad Hoeata got his reward as he charged over from close range after a few quick phases. Delany added the conversion as the Highlanders hit the lead for the first time – 13-6.

Another penalty against the Bulls saw Delany stretch the lead to 10 points with as many minutes on the clock remaining.

This sparked a huge reaction from the Bulls, who had one try denied to them by the TMO before replacement hooker Willie Wepener barged his way over from a tap-penalty. Steyn couldn't add the extras, but at 11-16 the Bulls were back in the game.

The Bulls applied the blowtorch and came within metres of the Highlanders line, only to be on the wrong end of another penalty call.

However, the men from Pretoria managed to win a crucial turnover by holding up the Highlanders' maul, giving them one last shot at victory. Unfortunately another call went against them and the Highlanders hacked the ball into touch for the win.

The scorers:

For the Highlanders:

Try: Hoeata

Con: Delany

Pens: Delany 3

For the Bulls:

Try: Wepener

Pens: Steyn 2

Yellow card: Dean Greyling (Bulls, 56 – repeated offences at the breakdown)

Teams:

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Siale Piutau, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Tim Boys, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Nick Crosswell, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Ma'afu Fia, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (captain).

Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Hoani MacDonald, 19 Scott Fuglistaller, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Chris Noakes, 22 Kenny Lynn.

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 CJ Stander, 6 Dewald Potgieter, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Dean Greyling.

Replacements: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Rayno Gerber, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 Arno Botha, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 JJ Engelbrecht.

Referee: Ian Smith (Australia)

Assistant referees: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand),  Kane McBride (New Zealand)

TMO: Matthew Muir (New Zealand)