The first game in a two game trip to the Republic saw the Highlanders take on the Cheetahs in what panned out to be one the most thrilling games to watch all season. Perhaps one of the most thrilling second halves to watch all season.
The Highlanders were out-muscled all over the park in the first half by the home team, and it certainly showed once the halftime whistle blew as the Landers trailed 23 - 9.
Otago had their chances in the first 40, but school boy errors and poor handling played a big part in the Cheetahs' dominance.
Two yellow cards didn't help either. The first, Andrew Hore got caught infringing on the wrong side of the ruck, and second English import James Haskell lashed out and threw a punch. Although he spent time in the bin, he was lucky, as TMO Shaun Veldsman indicated a red was the better option.
While for the Highlanders the first half was one to forget, the Cheetahs first five eighth Johan Goosen continued to put his hand up for Springbok selection with 18 personal points. He kicked 13 in the first half and then raced away 70 meters early in the second half for a try after pouncing on a Nasi Manu failed attempt at an offload.
It was an unfortunate end to the day for Goosen, as he when scored his try he injured his shoulder and had to be stretchered from the field. His replacement Josias Ebersohn came straight on and kicked the conversion from the sideline for a 30 - 9 lead, and what looked like quite a convincing win over the southerners.
Enter Ben Smith. For someone coming back after a couple of weeks off, he certainly didn't play like it. A bolter in my mind for the up coming All Blacks selection, Smith is and has been playing like a man hungry for the Black jersey. After a small taste back in 2009 when we played against Italy and scored a try against the Barbarians I believe Smith is ready to become a regular in the All Blacks team.
His open play running game and ability under the high ball is exactly what is required for the All Blacks. He showed he works well during the structured play to setting up Chris Noakes' try, after he cut through the Cheetahs line with good pace, drew the fullback and gifted Noakes a try under the posts which he converted.
From here the Highlanders seemed to believe. 30 - 16 down, they could sense the Cheetahs were running out of energy after bolting out to such a big lead. Highlanders teams of the past would have buckled, and potentially leaked another three or four tries.
The forwards kept the ball in tight for a few phases and when the time was right departing veteran Jimmy Cowan dived over the line to collect a five pointer and really give the boys in green some hope. Noakes kicked the conversion and the Highlanders only trailed by seven.
Cowan then had two in two. From the kick-off the Landers decided to run the ball out of their own end. Shaun Treeby showed his power breaking three or four tackles before offloading around the corner to Ben Smith. Smith drew in a defender and passed the ball to Tongan international Siale Piutau. He runs 30 before drawing in the last tackler and gives Cowan an easy run in under the posts.
All of a sudden in a matter of 10 minutes the Highlanders had gone from being 30 - 9 down to being tied up at 30 all.
This is when the game really spiced up. With 10 minutes to go the Highlanders gave away a penalty and were down 33 - 30. A minute later the Cheetahs infringe and Noakes manages to slot three points to tie it up again.
The Cheetahs continued to pile on the pressure, and after 20 phases Jason Rutledge was penalised at the bottom of a ruck gifting the home side a penalty shot right out in front and a chance to go up with only a few minutes remaining. Fortunately for Rutledge and the Highlanders the kick was spooned to the right.
With two to go and the score still locked, Chris Noakes signalled he wanted a crack at the posts after Otago was awarded another penalty. 50m out on the angle, this seemed too easy for Noakes as he put the ball right over the black dot. The Highlanders managed to hang on after some more intense pressure from the Cheetahs forwards and two try hero Jimmy Cowan banged the ball 20 rows back into the stands for the win 36 - 33.
The win made it 10 from 10 against the Cheetahs and leaves our boys sitting 5th on the table.
With the Chiefs in red hot form after dispatching the Hurricanes on Saturday night, and the Crusaders nipping at their heals on 28 competition points the Highlanders will really need to dig deep this weekend against the up and down Sharks.
In their own back yard, this will be a hard task, but one I have already tipped the boys to win.
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