Highlanders survive Waratahs comeback
The Highlanders powered to a 30-0 lead after 55 minutes but they had to withstand a withering fightback from the home side, who pulled to within four points with seven minutes left.
But the visitors regrouped and held onto their lead to go to the top of the New Zealand conference midway through the fourth round of the tournament, while the 2014 champions fell to their second loss in three matches.
The Highlanders, who eliminated the Waratahs 35-17 in last year's semi-finals, have now beaten the Sydney-based franchised in four of their last five encounters.
Ryan Tongia scored the opening try in the 11th minute and Liam Squire scored off a dropped Waratahs ball 18 minutes later.
Flank Elliot Dixon scored the first of his two tries off a kick from wing Matt Faddes, to have the Highlanders leading 22-0 at half-time with flyhalf Lima Sopoaga contributing two conversions and a penalty.
Dixon scored again off a high kick seven minutes after the resumption and a Sopoaga drop kick pushed the Highlanders out to 30-0 before the Waratahs sprung into action.
The Waratahs rattled on 26 points in 17 minutes to give their fans hope of a stirring come-from-behind victory. Jed Holloway, a half-time replacement, scored a hat-trick of tries with another replacement, Tom Robertson, scoring the fourth try.
Wallaby Kurtley Beale converted three of the tries. But the Highlanders steadied and repulsed the Waratahs' comeback to take home the points.
"It's back to the drawing board," said Waratahs captain Michael Hooper ahead of their next match against the Reds in Brisbane.
Scorers:
For the Waratahs:
Tries: Holloway 3, Robertson
Cons: Beale 3
For the Highlanders:
Tries: Tongia, Squire, Dixon 2
Cons: Sopoaga 2
Pen: Sopoaga
DG: Sopoaga
Teams:
Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Matt Carraro, 13 Rob Horne, 12 David Horwitz, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 David Dennis, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Angus Ta'avao, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Paddy Ryan.
Replacements: 16 Hugh Roach, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Sam Lousi, 20 Jed Holloway, 21 Jack Dempsey, 22 Matt Lucas, 23 Reece Robinson.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (co-captain), 14 Matt Faddes, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Rob Thompson, 11 Ryan Tongia, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Liam Squire, 7 Shane Christie (co-captain), 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Siosiua Halanukonuka, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Brendon Edmonds.
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Mark Reddish, 20 Gareth Evans, 21 Josh Renton, 22 Hayden Parker, 23 Jason Emery.
Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)
