Compiled by Ranjika Perera
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Superior performance by the Highlanders earned them an easy 42-27 win over Rebels yesterday (30) in Sydney, Australia[/caption]
The Highlanders finished another good week of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman fixtures with a comfortable 42-27 win over Melbourne Rebels yesterday (30) in Sydney, Australia.
Highlanders opened the scoring when Aaron Smith chipped over the defence line and outside-centre Michael Collins collected and scored in the second minute.
They struck back once again when winger Jona Nareki initially broke a tackle to get over the advantage line. Then Smith send the ball wide to winger Patelesio Tomkinson, who broke one tackle and jumped over the line.
The Rebels got on board in the 27th minute when fly-half Carter Gordan got a brilliant offload to Worth, who sent it to a flying Marika Koroibete who pinned down just in time.
Rebels kept the tempo and found their second try through prop forward Cabous Eloff, who forced his way over from close quarters.
The second half started off with the Rebels taking the lead thanks to a 49-metre penalty kick from Worth. Things went south from there on for the Aussies when they were reduced to 14 men after Jordan Uelese was sent to the bin.
The Highlanders took advantage immediately. With a strong scrum, they inched closer to try-line and after a series of infringements, referee Paul Williams was forced to award a penalty try.
The pressure was mounting on the hosts and they conceded yet again when Josh Dickson carried the ball over the line. Still having the one-man advantage, Highlanders took the game further away with another try. That was after Nareki’s chip was collected by the winger and busted through Powell’s tackle.
In the 60th minute, the visitors were reduced to 14 men after a series of penalties in the danger zone.
Rebels used the advantage and Toomua bisected the uprights to make the score 35-22 with 15 minutes to play. The Rebels gave themselves a chance with another well-worked try, with Gordan working the ball in the back and eventually putting Koroibete away for his second.
However, the Highlanders ended all hopes of a comeback by the Rebels as the former scored their sixth try through Billy Harmon.