Highlanders come back to sink Tahs
It was an excellent match, just a marvellous mix for players, spectators and rugby football in general There were setbacks and errors, there was speed, skill and messy play, there was bravery and intensity, and it was unpredictable - it was a match worth watching.
It seemed that the Waratahs, Super Rugby's reigning champions, were on the way to victory, 12-0 up after 19 minutes. But it took them nearly an hour to score again while the Highlanders scored 26 points, their last try a thriller when Patrick Osborne started on the left and then finished it off on the right with much exhilarating passing in between.
There was an inauspicious start to the match forr the Highlanders when Shane Christie was injured in the warm-up before the match and was replaced in the starting team by John Hardie. Dressed in his number ones on the stand was Gareth Evans who had played for the Highlanders Development team. He was whipped off the stand, clad in Highlanders colours and put on the bench. After 29 minutes Hardie was taken off on the motorised stretcher with a damaged ankle and on came enthusiastic Evans who then had a fine game of great commitment.
The Waratahs scored early, both of their tries coming from line-outs.
For the first one the line-out was near the half-way line and Israel Folau came into the line. He gave a tiny pass to Michael Hooper on his right and Hopper burst past Hardie and inside Shaun Treeby. The flank raced down toward the Highlanders' last defender, Waisale Noholo. Hooper drew Noholo and passed to Nick Phipps on his left and the scrumhalf raced some 18 metres to score 15 metres in from touch. 5-0 after three minutes.
And the Waratahs were dominant. At the first scrum of the match the Highlanders were penalised and in all they were penalised four times in scrums that were increasingly messy in the match.
When Lima Sopoaga, who had a mixed match, kicked out on the full, the Waratahs had a line-out. They mauled and then Hooper broke away on the blind side. He gave to Phipps near the touchline and the scrumhalf passed inside to Matt Carraro who raced through for a try. This time Bernard Foley converted, 12-0 after 19 minutes and the Waratahs was ascendant.
A penalty against Benn Robinson gave the Highlanders a five-metre line-out. They did not form a maul but bashed. The referee played advantage and he did so a second time when Sekope Kepu played Aaron Smith when he did not have the ball. It was the second time it had happened close to the Waratahs' line in the same passage of play and so he sent Kepu to the sin bin. When Kepu's period of penance was over, the Highlanders led 14-12 and built on their lead after that. It certainly was a significant moment in the match.
When Kepu went off, Paddy Ryan came on to prop and Wycliff Palu had to go off, which was significant as the Waratahs packed down a seven-man, five-metre scrum with no No.8. From the scrum near the posts, Aaron Smith darted for the line and when he was tackled at the line Tom Franklin picked up and drove over for a try under the posts. 12-7 after 29 minutes.
Sopoaga missed a relatively easy penalty kick at goal but when the Waratahs were moving the ball wide to their left far from their line Malakai Fekitoa dashed up quickly and grabbed Folau just as the elegant fullback got the ball. Both players were on their feet when Fekitoa ripped the ball from Folau's possession and passed to Noholo. The big wing juggled and then swung round, racing a good 50 metres down the touchline. He beat Carraro and raced on. He beat Kurtley Beale and scored near the posts. 14-12 to the Highlanders with half-time a minute away.
The Waratahs put the ball into a scrum and this time the Highlanders put on pressure so that the ball lay in the tunnel. Hooper put a foot into the tunnel to hook the ball and was freekicked for his illegal effort. Aaron Smith tapped and the ball went to new father Ben Smith who got past Beale and despite the efforts of Kepu and Foley, forced his way over for a try, which delighted all his team mates and himself - a baby and a try all within a few days. Sopoaga converted. 21-12 after 44 minutes.
The Highlanders came roaring back with the try of the match. It started with Osborne racing on the left. He gave infield to Ben Smith who went on a mazy run across to the right. There were may passes, slick and hopeful, till the ball reached Osborne who was now on the right and he beat Jacques Potgieter and Beale to score the try that took the score to 26-12 after 47 minutes, In the remaining 33 minutes the Highlanders did not score again but then the Waratahs did not really look like scoring not even when they had two five-metre line-outs and two five-metre scrums, for the Highlanders' defence was determined, with Elliot Dixon and Fekitoa outstanding. On defence the Highlanders gained turnovers as they were much better at the post tackle contest than the Sydneysiders. The Highlanders also attacked from a five-metre scrum when Carraro carried over.
But the Waratahs were determined and began to put the ball through phases as they advanced up through their own territory. A penalty gave them a five-metre line-out and they mauled their way over the line but neither the referee nor the TMO could see a grounding. The Waratahs had a five-metre scrum, a penalty and another scrum but Carraro knocked on and Marty Banks kicked clear but not out and the Waratahs countered to great effect. Beale fed Folau who gave to Carraro racing down the right touchline. He passed inside to Stephen Hoiles who scored. Foley converted to get his side into bonus point territory but there were just two minutes play and the Highlanders coped with them easily.
Man of the Match: Israel Folau of the Waratahs had an excellent game, save only his failure to keep the ball away from Malakai Fekitoa who had a splendid game especially on defence. Aaron Smith, Ben Smith and rugged Elliot Dixon were great for the Highlanders but our choice of Man of the Match is Patrick Osborne, busy, threatening Patrick Osborne who started and finished a great try.
Scorers: