Discarded All Black Nick Evans scored a try and sharpened the attacking edge of the Otago Highlanders, who beat South Africa’s Bulls 23-0 on Friday in a Super 12 rugby match at Carisbrook.
Evans returned from injury to play at flyhalf for the Highlanders and made a huge impression in a 58-minute stay before a further injury — to a hamstring — forced him from the field.
The international utility back, gifted with acceleration and the balance to run evasively, repeatedly attacked the Bulls’ defensive line from set play and close to rucks.
The play of both sides was tactically flawed and broke down because of handling or communication errors. There were 46 turnovers in the match, 32 by the Highlanders, and 24 handling errors — 18 by the Bulls, who also missed 21 tackles.
Both sides frittered away possession with aimless kicks, but the Bulls were most guilty, often holding the ball through several phases and then giving it up with a misplaced kick.
The win was the first of the season for the Highlanders, who had previously lost to the Auckland Blues and drawn with the Stormers.
”It wasn’t pretty but thank goodness we won,” said Highlanders captain Anton Oliver.
”That’s the story of our season … we’re making too many mistakes. You can give your opponents credit for that at times, but when it keeps happening it’s a function of you.
”I’m also disappointed we didn’t get a bonus point. At half-time, I said to the guys, if we keep on doing what we’re doing we should get a bonus point. We didn’t, but four points is great given the stage we’re at.”
The Highlanders were the more enterprising team and reaped their reward with three tries. The Bulls played more conservatively, using one-off runners and promoting the ball with kicks by flyhalf Derick Hougaard.
Evans scored the first of Otago’s tries in the ninth minute, supporting a break by fullback Ben Blair to touch down near the posts.
Center Seilala Mapusua, whose lead-up work created Blair’s bust, had a hand in all three tries.
His jarring tackle in midfield freed the ball for a turnover from which wing Matt Saunders scored in the 39th minute, and he handled in the long, cross-field movement from which replacement lock Filipo Levi scored six minutes from full-time. — Sapa-AP
Scores:
Otago 23 (Nick Evans, Matt Saunders, Filipo Levi tries; Ben Blair conversion, two penalties)
Bulls 0