Whopper led the boys out, not only as captain this week, but also celebrating his 50th for the Highlanders.
The match to me wasn't the most entertaining match to watch. Don't get me wrong, there were a lot of entertaining highlights, most of which came from the southern men.
Early on it seemed the Tahs were hellbent on kicking the ball away and staying on the positive side of the territory count. They seemed to play right into the Highlanders' hands. As they have shown over the last few weeks, if you give their outside boys a small chance to run the ball...they will!
Whilst the Highlanders were set on scoring lots and lots of tries, the Waratahs were able to repel their attack with some solid defence. When given the opportunity the Waratahs did not turn down points, and after 13 minutes were up 6 zip thanks to two Halangahu penalties.
The first half was played at a blinding pace, and a big reason for that was obviously the perfect conditions you get from playing indoors.
After receiving a penalty out in front, Aaron Smith decided to have a crack, took a quick tap, passed to the forwards. Sopoaga then found the ball in his hands, he broke the line, offloaded back to Smith for a great try.
Sopoaga after all the hard work he did to create the try, then blew a perfect opportunity to go up 7-6 as he kicked the ball into the upright aftersome kick pressure from Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Not long after Sopoaga's try it seemed like dejavu as the try scorer himself this time took a quick tap from a penalty and tried himself for a double.
Sopoaga came up short and the attack broke down. That was the end of the night for Sopoaga as he injured his shoulder.
With Colin Slade starting the game at fullback in the absence of Ben Smith, he quietly slotted himself into the front line.
The Waratahs halfback Sarel Pretorius created half chance near the end of the first half by stealing the ball off Aaron Smith and kicking down field.
The Highlanders gobbled it up, but gave away a penalty which Halangahu kicked to put the Australians up 9 - 5.
The scoring finished in the second half with a Colin Slade penalty goal. The Waratahs went into the heads with the smallest of advantages 9 - 8.
Early in the second half the ball was passed to Slade to clear it, unfortunately that was not the case. Pat McCutcheon charged down the kick. He managed to chase and regather for the try.
After the try was awarded it seemed McCutcheon was in all sorts of pain, and for good reason. Buxton Popalii attempting to save a try, landed on McCutheon's ankle as they both went to ground.
Thanks to MySky and the replays everyone could see that his ankle was broken, and facing in the opposite direction to what it should have been. Not nice at all!
The try was scored and the Tahs were up 14 - 8.
The Highlanders hit straight back with some great attacking options. The ball was swung to the right hand side, only to be shifted back to the left giving the Highlanders a nice overlap. After some quick and classy hands John Hardie crossed in the corner. Slade converted from the sideline and the Highlanders regained the lead 15 - 14.
Come the 50th minute the Waratahs' scoring was all over as Halangahu put over another penalty. Slade hit straight back and the Highlanders kept the lead 18 - 17. The scores stayed at that and the Highlanders claimed their third win on the trot, and cemented themselves atop the ladder.
The game ended in a peculiar fashion. As the hooter sounded, Jimmy Cowan attempted to kick the ball into touch. Only he knows why, but he tried to kick the ball 40m across the park into touch. Cowan didn't manage to find touch, instead he miscued the kick and put up what is more or less known as a defensive bomb!
I have to mention 'That Guy' (Leigh Hart) here as he claimed a few years ago he was the one who invented the defensive bomb. TG claims he kicked the ball from behind his posts putting his whole team offside. He then regathered the ball and ran 100m for the try under the posts. He then claimed he sliced the conversion.
This was not the case for Cowan. He put everybody's hearts in their throats, but luckily the Highlanders winger regained the ball and was able to get the ball into touch for a Highlanders' 3rd consecutive win.
Another great win for the boys. The stand out performers seem to be the same ones week in and week out so far. Smith, Thompson, Gear, Burleigh and Hore. Let's hope they can all keep their good touch.
Bring on the Hurricanes next week. Should be a great game, especially after they dealt to the Western Force on Friday night.
Karl Tily - Born in Dunedin I lived there for the first 13 years of my life. I followed the Highlanders and the Otago rugby team religiously and would attend almost every home game with the folks. I am currently living in Wellington, but still consider Dunedin 'home'. I even have the Otago 'O' tattooed on my right shoulder as a part of where I am from!