Rugby: Highlanders blitzed in final third

Highlanders second five-eighth Johnny Leota is tackled by Crusaders Ross Filipo (left) and Nasi...
Highlanders second five-eighth Johnny Leota is tackled by Crusaders Ross Filipo (left) and Nasi Manu in their pre-season Super 14 game in Timaru last night.
The Crusaders came storming home to beat the Highlanders 40-17 at Timaru last night, riding on the back of a feast of possession.

The Highlanders started well and scored the first 17 points of the game but were starved of ball in the last third of the game, and ran out of puff as constant defence took its toll.

Slowly the Crusaders machine clicked into gear and they scored six tries in the last 35min of the game to run out convincing winners.

The Crusaders' impetus came from the introduction of heavyweights such as Richie McCaw, Brad Thorn and Kieran Read.

It also benefitted from referee Keith Brown's penalising of the Highlanders regularly at ruck and maul time.

Of utmost concern for the Highlanders was the sight of speedy winger Fetu'u Vainikolo forced to leave the field after only 10min with a hamstring twinge.

His replacement, Lucky Mulipola, also left the field later in the match, suffering a foot sprain.

It was unclear if they would be available for the season kick off in two weeks.

Before the final half hour, the Highlanders were right in the match, stringing phases together and hanging on to the ball.

The Crusaders, their backs in particular, had the case of the butterfingers in the first period of the match, which was played in three 30min periods.

Highlanders first five-eighth Daniel Bowden had an impressive 40min, starting the match, scoring a nice try, and looking for gaps, while inside him captain Jimmy Cowan was tidy in everything he did.

Up front, hooker David Hall was strong on the drive, burrowing over close to the line to score a try after just 12min, while lock Hayden Triggs got around the paddock well.

Highlanders coach Glenn Moore was impressed with the first 60min and admitted the score blew out near the end.

"The match was played over 90min not the usual 80, which we're used to. But they used a lot of width in their game and we were quite taxed at the end," Moore said.

"We also used two or three grubber kicks at the end which just resulted in turning the ball over to them. We went away from the systems we wanted to use.

"But I'm not worried about it. The team needs games and that is what we got. We try different players in different combinations and see how they react to that."

Moore said for the majority of the match he was pleased with the attack and the ability to get in behind the Crusaders.

"We got some reasonable momentum and hung on to the ball for a fair few phases."

Moore said he had a few concerns about the consistencies of the penalty calls.

Referee Brown was particularly tough on the Highlanders at breakdown time, and tended to concentrate a lot on what the defending team was doing in the final stages of the game.

Haflback Sean Romans looked composed behind the pack, while loose forward Alando Soakai pilfered some ball.

Best for the winning side was outside back Jared Payne, who ghosted past players, while wing Adam Whitelock ran hard.

Up front Michael Paterson won plenty of ball in the line-out, while prop Wyatt Crockett made an impact when he came on.

The Highlanders have a quick turn around, playing the Blues in Auckland on Thursday, in both sides' last pre-season match.

Crusaders 40 (Isaac Ross, Kieran Read, Ryan Crotty, Stephen Brett, Wyatt Crockett, Jared Payne tries, Colin Slade 5 conversions) Highlanders 17 (David Hall, Daniel Bowden tries, Bowden penalty goal, 2 conversions).

First third: 10-0 Highlanders , Second third: 17-14 Highlanders.

Crowd: about 6000.

The Blues emerged on the right side of the ledger in another close Super 14 pre-season match last night, beating the Queensland Reds 26-24 at Waitakere, NZPA reports.

Having lost their previous matches 19-14 to the Hurricanes and 21-17 to the Chiefs, the Blues bounced back from a ragged first half, boosted by the injection of a trio of All Blacks.

Isaia Toeava, Jerome Kaino and Tony Woodcock all made their first appearances of 2009 and helped their team overcome a 14-7 half-time deficit.

Both teams scored four tries but the Blues kicked three conversions to the two of the Reds, who were fielding a host of unfamiliar players in their new-look squad.

Among the visitors was Daniel Braid, the long-serving Blues openside flanker who has crossed the Tasman this season.

Braid was an influential figure before being replaced at half-time, playing a hand in tries to first five-eighth Quade Cooper and centre Anthony.

Blues 26 (Paul Williams, Jerome Kaino, Rene Ranger, Taniela Moa tries; Michael Hobbs 2 con, Jimmy Gopperth con) Reds 24 (Quade Cooper, Anthony Faingaa, Leroy Houston, Blair Connor tries; Cooper 2 con) Half-time: 7-14

Crusaders 40
Highlanders 17

 

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