The Highlanders have started their South African tour with a somewhat lucky win over the Cheetahs after completing one of the great comebacks.
Trailing 30-9 with 25 minutes remaining, the Highlanders were able to notch up three quick tries to level the scores and were able to go on and win the game 36-33. It was a tremendous show of resolve and the bench was outstanding, but the fact that they were in that situation in the first place is an issue that needs looking at.
The first 20 minutes were evenly contested as both teams looked to move the ball and play a fast-paced game. Consequently, the score quickly leapt out to 10-6 in favour of the Cheetahs, with the game remaining very much in the balance. James Haskell and Adam Thomson were particularly outstanding in this part of the game, both ranging well and proving valuable link men in the backline.
However, it wasn't to last as ill discipline began to creep into the Highlanders game and the penalty count began to take its toll. Some of these penalties may have been harsh, but at the same time you have to play to the referee and it was clear he was going to be police the breakdown reasonably strictly.
It was here that the Highlanders became unstuck, attacking the breakdown as always, but not executing well and finding themselves in some illegal positions. This shouldn't be frowned upon as it is a high-risk, high-reward situation and is something the Highlanders do well so shouldn't be
discouraged.
Last night the risk was seen, as Andrew Hore was lost to the sin bin towards the latter part of the half. Just minutes later James Haskell followed suit after a punching incident off the ball. This left the Highlanders down to 13 men, with just six forwards. They defended valiantly in this time, but
were unable to keep out their opponents and went to half time trailing 23-9.
The beginning of the second half saw the Highlanders carry on in the same way they had finished the first, struggling to gain any momentum and playing rushed rugby every time they had the ball. Too many 50-50 balls were being thrown and the turnover count was beginning to mount.
After the Cheetahs' outstanding first five-eighth, Johan Goosen, scored in the corner it looked a long way back. But what followed were two game-changing incidents.
One came in the injury to Goosen in the act of scoring the try, and the other came in the beginning of the introduction of the Highlanders bench, who were all outstanding.
As the Cheetahs began to tire, the Highlanders found another gear and Ben Smith started to find holes all over the park, making run after run. It was off this and some simple but effective rugby that saw the Highlanders score three quick tries to have them back 30all.
The final 10 minutes were a scrap and it was an outstanding Chris Noakes penalty that got them over the line, giving them the lead for the first time in the game in the final minute. Although a Cheetahs fan may say the game was lost when replacement first five-eighth Sias Ebersohn missed a penalty from straight out in front just minutes earlier.
It really was the ultimate showing of a game being won in the final 20 minutes, which has been a feature of all but one of the Highlanders' wins this season.
The bench can take a lot of credit for this, coming on and injecting a spark, showing that this team is indeed a whole lot deeper than last year's. Jimmy Cowan was particularly good and provided good service, while Noakes found he was able to get his outsides away in a way that Mike Delany struggled to do.
Siale Piutau looked dangerous also in his first game back from injury, an encouraging sign as he was one of the great improvers of last year's team. The forward reserves were all good too, all lifting the intensity and reinvigorating the other forwards which provided the backs with some better ball late in the game.
Ben Smith was the best of the starters, showing just how much he's been missed, seemingly finding gaps in the Cheetahs defence at will. The midfield of Shaun Treeby and Tamati Ellison were very good too, making numerous breaks and proving a handful for the defence.
In the forwards the loose forwards were all prominent particularly with ball in hand, while Jarrad Hoeata also had a strong game.
It was far from a complete performance and the final score may have flattered the Highlanders somewhat. The top teams in the competition won't let you away with this, but the fact that they were able to dig themselves out of the hole speaks volumes about their commitment.
At the end of the day though, wins in South Africa are tough to get, no matter who they are against. Maybe the best thing to do is just to take it and move on.