Highlanders light up in Super Rugby Pacific warm-up

The Highlanders ended a chaotic week in the world of Super Rugby Pacific with a decent showing in their final preseason hit-out.

They were supposed to play Moana Pasifika, but the squad is isolating at its base in Queenstown after seven players tested positive for Covid-19.

It was all a bit of a last-minute scramble but the Highlanders joined the Chiefs and the Blues in a game of three halves on Saturday afternoon instead.

The Highlanders were beaten 14-5 by the Chiefs in their first half.

Midfielder Scott Gregory shone for the Highlanders. He scored a last-minute try to cut the deficit and was arguably the best player on the field.

Gregory was threatening when he carried, while winger Mosese Dawai showed promise and lock Manaaki Selby-Rickit was strong in the lineout.

The Highlanders coughed up too much ball, though.

They beat the Blues 21-19 in their other half.

Loose forward Marino Mikaele-Tu'u and Vereniki Tikoisolomone scored tries, both converted by Marty Banks.

The Blues rallied to level the game 14-14. But halfback Folau Fakatava burrowed over for try in the 31st minute. Banks drilled the conversion.

Taine Plumtree scored late for the Blues but Stephen Perofeta missed the conversion to gift the Highlanders a narrow win.

The Highlanders were menacing in the scrum, where rising stars Ethan de Groot and Jermaine Ainsley demolished their opponents.

In the other half, the Chiefs beat the Blues 17-7, while the Hurricanes scored late to beat the Crusaders 27-24 in their regulation preseason game.

Highlanders coach Tony Brown was happy enough with the performances by his team members.

"I thought ... our game against the Chiefs was exactly what we were after," he said.

"I felt as though we controlled a lot of that game, we just lacked a little bit of execution at key moments."

However, Brown said his side lacked some composure after getting out to a good lead against the Blues, and failed to finish them off.

Highlanders fullback Sam Gilbert’s back seized up on Friday night, so he was a late scratching.

Loose forward Christian Lio-Willie fractured a bone in his hand and was ruled out as well, while outside back Rory van Vugt injured his wrist towards the end of the half against the Chiefs.

Openside flanker James Lentjes suffered a blow to the neck during the week and was being monitored.

The Highlanders’ opening Super Rugby Pacific game is against the Chiefs at the Wakatipu Rugby Club on Saturday.

Brown said the starting team had firmed in his mind.

"But there is good competition within our squad. A lot of the younger players have put their hand up," he said, adding Gregory and Josh Timu "were pretty impressive in the backs".

"And I thought both our forward packs performed really well."

 — Additional reporting Hayden Meikle.