Rugby: Plenty of positives for Highlanders

Matt Faddes of Pulse Energy Highlanders scores a try against Racing 92 during the Natixis Rugby...
Matt Faddes of Pulse Energy Highlanders scores a try against Racing 92 during the Natixis Rugby Cup at the Sui Sai Wan stadium in Chai Wan, Hong Kong. Photo by Getty
A pass mark and more. There would have been plenty of ticks and not many crosses from the coaching staff after the opening Highlanders pre-season game, in Hong Kong on Saturday night.

The attack from the Highlanders was as deadly as ever. The side can score tries out of nothing, and has plenty of match-winners over the paddock.

The defence was breached at times, but there was some sting in it and plenty of endeavour.

Although the team lost 45-38 to Racing 92 in cool temperatures, it was in the match the entire way and results are more or less secondary in pre-season matches.

The only down side would have been an injury to utility back Richard Buckman.

He was taken off after scoring a try just 14 seconds into the second half.

He looked to have seriously injured his left shoulder - a possible dislocation - and may be on the sideline for a lengthy period. But that was the only black mark in a performance from the Highlanders in which there were plenty of positives.

The backs ran hard and found space, the forwards were vigorous in the breakdown and the set piece was accurate enough.

Let us not forget the Racing 92 side was a quality outfit.

Dan Carter played the first 40 minutes at second five-eighth but it was far from a one-man show from the Parisians.

The team had internationals all over the park and from the bench, and coming straight from a northern hemisphere season should rightly have won the game.

The match was tied 38-38 with three minutes left.

But Racing 92 got a lineout 5m out and rumbled it up to go over and win the game.

The Highlanders had a chance right at the death but turned the ball over.

Fullback Matt Faddes had an excellent match in his first hit-out at this level, scoring two tries and showing plenty of dash in attack. He made some good metres with the ball in hand.

First five-eighth Lima Sopoaga was composed at first five-eighth while, up front, No 8 Liam Squire, captain Shane Christie and lock Tom Franklin worked hard.

Centre Malakai Fekitoa was dangerous when he came on while Josh Renton was busy throughout.

The lineout worked well, the continuity was good and some players made some nice hits on defence. In the first half, the Highlanders did not get many chances. But when they came along, they grabbed them with both hands.

The only disappointing feature of the first half was when lock Joe Wheeler was yellow carded for hands in the ruck.

A couple of minutes later former Springbok lock Flip van der Merwe went over down the blindside.

But the Faddes double inside five minutes at the end of the first period gave the Highlanders a comfortable 21-12 halftime lead.

●The Highlanders have shifted their match in Invercargill on April 30 to 7.35pm to avoid a clash with the Steel netball game, also in Invercargill on the same day.

The match was scheduled for 5.15pm but has been moved back.


Highlanders v Racing 92
The scores

Racing 92 45
Xavier Chauveau 2, Antonie Claassen , Flip van der Merwe, Marc Andreu, Jo Goosen, Chris Masoe tries; Benjamin Dambielle 4 con, Dan Carter con

Highlanders 38
Matt Faddes 2, Richard Buckman, Liam Squire, Tei Walden tries; penalty try; Liam Sopoaga 3 con, Marty Banks con

Halftime: 21-12 Highlanders.


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