Highlanders edge Tahs in try fest
The two sides spent the majority of the match taking turns in adding the points to the scoreboard, securing five tries each.
Kurtley Beale had a perfect night with the boot, successfully adding to the scoreboard with every conversion opportunity.
The trial got off to an exciting start when the Highlanders found the tryline in the first two minutes, with a quick five pointer from Malakai Fekitoa, handing the Highlanders an early lead.
The Waratahs were quick to answer when Captain Michael Hooper scored under the posts and, with a successful conversion from Kurtley Beale, the scores were drawn at 7-all.
The next points were handed to the opposition through two penalty kicks to Lima Sopoaga, bringing the Highlanders' lead out to 13-7.
Showing plenty of promise in attack, the Waratahs soon found themselves back on the front foot as the Highlanders were penalised for infringing at the ruck.
A good kick from the Waratahs deep into the Highlanders' 22 resulted in a lineout just ten metres out.
The Tahs built on the momentum, stealing the lead by one thanks to a try from Jed Holloway and another fine kick from Beale.
Hooper returned to his best at the breakdown making a crucial turnover, while Israel Folau looked dangerous with a number of breaks in his first game back following injury.
The game settled into a tight tussle in the middle before the Tahs broke the brief stalemate. Following a multi-phase attack, hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau spotted a gap, bursting through for another try under the posts, extending the Waratahs edge by 21 to 13.
With the clock ticking down to half-time the Highlanders wasted no opportunity, sealing another try through Fekitoa right on the buzzer, leaving the Waratahs up by just one point at the break.
The Waratahs were boosted by the likes of Tolu Latu, Jack Dempsey, Will Skelton, Bernard Foley, Zac Guildford and front-rower Matt Sandell, who ran on for his first Waratahs appearance in the second half.
A well-placed kick from Beale found Bryce Hegarty, who dotted the ball down just over a minute in, bringing the Waratahs lead up by eight points.
Some sharp play from Waisake Naholo saw the Highlanders answer back once again, adding to the scoreboard with a five-pointer to Ben Smith in the right corner. The conversion from Sopoaga was unsuccessful this time, leaving it at 28-25 with 35 minutes left in the match.
The Tahs sustained their attack, but a turnover ball from the Highlanders saw them go the full length to cross the line again through Fekitoa for a hat-trick to bring his side back in front by 32-28.
An opportunity was handed the Waratahs way, winning a penalty just seven metres out from the tryline and, with another good kick into touch, edged their way closer again.
After several strong carries from the Tahs forwards, the ball found its way to Foley in his first match for the Waratahs this year. A good offload to speedster, Guildford saw the former All Black score his first for the Tahs, as they took the lead by three.
A try by the Highlanders' Ben Smith, together with an additional penalty goal from Hayden Parker sealed the Tahs' fate in the end, leaving the Highlanders with the win.
For Highlanders:
Tries: Fekitoa 3, Smith 2
Cons: Sopoaga 3
Pens: Sopoaga 2, Parker
For Waratahs:
Tries: Hooper, Holloway, Polota-Nau, Hegarty, Guildford
Cons: Beale 5
Teams:
Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Reece Robinson, 13 Rob Horne, 12 David Horwitz, 11 Andrew Kellaway, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Jed Holloway, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 David Dennis, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Angus Ta'avao, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Paddy Ryan.
Replacements – from: Tolu Latu, Jeremy Tilse, Benn Robinson, Will Skelton, Jack Dempsey, Matt Lucas, Bryce Hegarty, Zac Guildford, Jake Gordon, Matt Carraro, Senio Toleafoa, Matt Sandell, Hugh Roach, Ned Hanigan, Brad Wilkin, Bernard Foley, Harry Jones.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Rob Thompson, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Liam Squire, 7 James Lentjes, 6 Luke Whitelock, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Tom Franklin, 3 Josh Hohneck, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Replacements – from: Ash Dixon, Brendon Edmonds, Ross Geldenhuys, Mark Reddish, Gareth Evans, Fumiaki Tanaka, Elliot Dixon, Jason Emery, Teihorangi Walden, Matt Faddes, Hayden Parker, Dan Pryor.
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
