Seven days after the French Barbarians were beaten 42-26 by the Crusaders in Christchurch, it was the Highlanders’ turn to run in a 29-10 victory over the touring side.
The contest was dominated by referee Mike Fraser’s whistle and the game in general was a stop-start affair in chilly but dry conditions in Invercargill.
However, in between the sound of whistle, the Highlanders were able to run in five tries. A dominant lineout drive and scrum were strong features.The Highlanders scored 24 second half-points in the big win.
Not surprisingly, coach Aaron Mauger was delighted with that set piece, in particular the scrum.
"I thought our scrum was strong, so that was an area that was pleasing for us. Siate Tokolahi, first game back after seven or eight weeks on the sideline, was massive for us. He helped anchor that scrum.
"We were expecting the French to put us under a bit of pressure in the scrum, but we turned the tables and put them under a bit of pressure and it helped launch our game from there."
It was the Barbarians who started best in the opening exchanges, dominating possession and territory in the first 15 minutes.
After penalty after penalty, and often opting for touch, in the 12th minute the Barbarians decided they needed some reward for their hard work and chose to take a shot at goal.
Captain and first five-eighth Jean Marc Doussain made no mistake to make it 3-0.
The Highlanders from that point were able to get into the game and got some much-needed territory themselves.
From a lineout drive close to the line, openside flanker James Lentjes controlled possession at the back of the maul to dot down in the 17th minute to make it 5-3.
Doussain had an opportunity in the 32nd minute to put the French team back in front but, from 40m out and straight in front of the posts, he pushed the penalty attempt wide.
The Highlanders were provided their own kickable penalties but were not interested in shooting for goal.
Instead the lineout or scrum was the preferred option, but the desired try never came as it remained at 5-3 at halftime.
Six minutes into the second half, the Highlanders shifted the ball towards the terrace side of the field, where a couple of Southland lads in Lima Sopoaga and Elliot Dixon combined before fullback Josh McKay scored out wide to make it 10-3.
The Highlanders continued to break the Barbarians down and again after a series of penalties and drives for the line the ball was sent wide and it was Sopoaga who provided the space to score.
The first five-eighth converted his own try to make it 17-3.
The Highlanders found themselves with yet another 5m lineout soon after and this time it was replacement hooker Greg Pleasants-Tate who emerged from a rolling maul to register a five-pointer.
Rob Thompson scored a late try but it was the French who had the final say when left wing Hugo Bonneval scored a long-range try to bring the final score to 29-10.
The game did provide a trip down memory lane.
Leicester Rutledge, who played on the flank for Southland in the 12-11 win over France in 1979, joined his grandchildren in making a special presentation to the French Barbarians team.
Rutledge was also a former manager of the Highlanders.
- Logan Savory