The home side ran in seven tries while keeping their opponents tryless which, in the end, was the difference between the two sides.
It didn't start like this though, as the Highlanders looked to run everything, playing a very fast-paced game which was at times too reckless. Once again they tried to play too much rugby inside their half and made too many mistakes, handing the Rebels 12 points in penalty goals. To go with this, the Rebels defence held firm and the Highlanders struggled to find any gaps, leaving them scoreless until late in the first half despite a heavy advantage in the possession stakes.
Two late tries in the second half saw the scores levelled at half time, but one would have to question the logic behind going for the second one, turning down a penalty goal from right underneath the posts to spin it wide. While it may have worked out okay, there have been many other instances in the past few weeks where shots have been turned down and points not scored. Turning down a sure-fire three points to potentially score a try off the last play of the half is just madness, and while five points resulted, it would be a much safer option to take the points when on offer.
The second half couldn't have been more different, as the Highlanders played an intelligent, more patient brand of rugby, looking to kick into gaps rather than play the sevens-type game they showed in the first half. This paid dividends as they racked five tries, while the Rebels had little opportunity to attack in good field position.
It was a completely dominant half, as the Rebels defence completely faltered and became more like the Rebels we've expected of the past two years, falling off far too many tackles, allowing the Highlanders to make easy metres.
The forward pack operated well as a unit, particularly in the second half, with Adam Thomson particularly outstanding, doing some good work at the breakdown while also providing a threat ranging out wide. He finished the game with three tries to his name, but these came from the work
of the other seven men who allowed him to roam wide with their hard work in the tight.
The backline began to look slicker in the second half too, playing a much more direct game than the lateral one they played in the first. The midfield of Shaun Treeby and Tamati Ellison was outstanding, constantly making inroads and drawing defenders, whilst Hosea Gear and Kade Poki also had
similarly good games. Aaron Smith was flaky early on but executed the kicking game well, while outside him Chris Noakes was generally steady. But it was Ben Smith who was the best of these men, constantly threatening with ball in hand and looking to come into the backline to run.
The second half of this performance undoubtedly shows the way forward for the Highlanders. Sure a running game is good to have and positivity should be rewarded, but when this becomes reckless it needs to be limited. The running game shouldn't be disposed of, but merely used more selectively at the right times. Kicking ball back to the opposition should be discouraged, but if they can kick as intelligently as they did last night, it's really putting the opposition under pressure rather than giving them a chance to attack. Then when the opportunity presents itself, spin it wide and have a crack.
It might seem like a more conservative approach and good attacking chances may go begging. But a good intelligent team should be able to recognise when to do what and a clinical one will make the most of their chances. They showed last night they have this intelligence; whether they can repeat it may determine just how many are won this season and ultimately whether they are still in the hunt come playoffs time.