VIDEO: Highlanders spoil big bad Brad's homecoming
SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Highlanders came from behind to score a late winner in an entertaining encounter with the Reds in Dunedin on Friday.
Dillon Hunt went over with just over five minutes remaining to score one of the Highlanders’ five tries in a 36-31 win – their second-consecutive close escape, following last week’s 30-27 squeaker against the Chiefs.
The Reds had done well to work themselves into a 31-29 lead, going into the final quarter.
Slick passing by Highlanders leads to the try for Hunt, with the Josh Ioane conversion sealing the win.
The match was the first time that former All Black Brad Thorn had returned to Dunedin since he took over as Reds coach last year.
And he came awfully close to getting a victorious homecoming.
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“It was a hell of a tough battle,” Highlanders skipper Luke Whitelock said.
“They were fast and direct and asked a lot of questions up front.”
The Reds, who finished a disappointing 13th last year, slumped to their 11th straight win in New Zealand, a sequence dating back to 2013.
But they fought back from 17-29 down to have victory in their sights before Hunt’s try, and Reds captain Samu Kerevi said his young team was on the rise.
“The belief is there,” he said.
“We just needed to be mentally on at key moments. At times we just missed little jobs and you can’t do that against a quality side like the Highlanders.”
He said the Queenslanders were inspired by lock Izack Rodda, who scored a try after insisting on playing even though his father died two days ago.
“He’s a very strong guy, my love and condolences go out [to] the family and we’ll band together, win or lose, stick tight and work harder for next week.”
The Reds ran hard at the Highlanders and were rewarded with an early penalty but the home team hit back immediately with a Rob Thompson try.
Both sides’ speedsters came to the fore in a frantic period of play, with Waisake Naholo dangerous on the wing for the Highlanders but unable to break through.
His opposite number Chris Feauai-Sautia had no such problem, wrong-footing the defence for Queensland’s first try.
The Highlanders aimed to take control with two quick tries, the first from Shannon Frizzell and the second a Ben Smith effort that was lucky to stand after the referee missed a forward pass in the build-up.
The Reds stayed in touch with a Moses Sorovi try after some slick backline work following a line-out steal, going into half-time trailing 24-17.
The Highlanders’ fixed their line-out after the restart and were rewarded when Frizzell barged over for another try that was a virtual carbon copy of his first.
The Reds lifted again after forcing a turnover as the Highlanders threatened their line.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto kicked the ball to the halfway line, then Bryce Hegarty kicked it again before Sorovi popped a pass into the path of the onrushing Rodda.
The Reds took the lead when Feao Fotuaika powered his way over the line for a converted try.
They regathered for a mighty defensive effort in the final quarter, holding up Ben Smith on the line, but could not keep out Hunt out wide in the 74th minute.
Man of the match: Jordan Petaia and Angus Scott-Young were the Reds’ most productive players. Rob Thompson and Ben Smith always a threat on attack, while Matt Faddes made some crucial plays after coming on as replacement – including ripping the ball in a tackle in injury time, when the Reds were on attack looking for a late winner. Dillon Hunt produced the match-winning try and a tackle count well into double figures. However, our award goes to the Highlanders’ All Black loose forward Shannon Frizell – who was right up there with the best on defence, had 15 carries for 56 metres and scored two tries.
The scorers:
For the Highlanders:
Tries: Thompson, Frizell 2, B Smith, Hunt
Cons: Ioane 4
Pen: Ioane
For the Reds:
Tries: Feauai-Sautia, Sorovi, Rodda, Fotuaika
Cons: Hegarty 4
Pen: Hegarty
* How it happened!
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Teams:
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (co-captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock (co-captain), 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Josh Dickson, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Ayden Johnstone.
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Jack Whetton, 20 Marino Mikaele Tu’u, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Marty Banks, 23 Matt Faddes.
Reds: 15 Bryce Hegarty, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Samu Kerevi (captain), 11 Sefa Naivalu, 10 Hamish Stewart, 9 Moses Sorovi, 8 Caleb Timu, 7 Liam Wright, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Feao Fotuaika.
Replacements: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 Harry Hoopert, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Harry Hockings, 20 Fraser McReight, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Duncan Paia’aua, 23 Isaac Lucas.
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistant referees: Nick Briant (New Zealand), James Doleman (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
