The Highlanders celebrated the first Super Rugby match at their new Dunedin stadium with an impressive 27-24 victory over the Crusaders on last night.
Tries from hooker Andrew Hore, centre Phil Burleigh and winger Hosea Gear, as well as 12 points from the boot of fly half Lima Sopoaga, held off a Crusaders comeback in front of a passionate crowd under the roof at the Otago Regional Stadium.
A malfunctioning stadium clock added extra drama at the death with the Highlanders twice booting the ball into touch believing the 80 minutes were up, only for the referee to continue play.
The seven-times champion Crusaders are an altogether different proposition and tries from wing Israel Dagg and Andy Ellis along with fly half Tyler Bleyendaal’s 14-point tally meant the Highlanders had to fight every inch of the way for the victory.
Queensland scrum-half Will Genia said an unwavering self-belief within the Reds squad again came in handy as the defending Super Rugby champions held off the Western Force 35-20 at a rainy Lang Park.
The Reds built a solid 23-6 lead at the break courtesy of tries to Ben Tapuai, an intercept effort by bustling number eight Radike Samo and the dead-eye goal-kicking of fly half Mike Harris.
The Force made things interesting straight after the interval with tries to David Pocock as well as James Stannard closing the margin back to 26-20.
But ill-discipline by the Force was punished by the boot of Harris, who finished with seven penalties and 25 points and stretched his unblemished Super Rugby record to 24 straight successive shots on goal.
Despite leaning on the accuracy of Harris, Genia was convinced the Reds played well and credited the team’s amazing confidence in itself to deliver.
Meanwhile in Bloemfontein, Flyhalf Morne Steyn became the third player to score 1000 Super Rugby points as he converted all six of the Bulls’ tries and added three penalties in their impressive 51-19 hammering of the Cheetahs this morning.
Steyn joined Canterbury Crusaders flyhalf Dan Carter and Australian Stirling Mortlock as he became the first South African to reach four figures.
He has now scored 1,012 points in 91 games, all for the Bulls.
The Bulls went to the top of the standings with nine points despite finishing the match with 13 men after Francois Hougaard was harshly red carded in the 64th minute for a tip-tackle and flank Jacques Potgieter was yellow carded for a shoulder-charge in the 78th minute.
And in the other match played this morning, Peter Grant marked his return to Super Rugby with a match-winning penalty for the Stormers who edged the Sharks 15-12 in their clash at Newlands.
Story by: William Waqavakatoga
