The Otago Highlanders ran in four tries to two on Friday to beat the Queensland Reds 33-17 and ensure they remained marooned at the bottom of the Super14 rugby competition.
After a rough tour to South Africa early in the series, the Highlanders made the most of the home advantage at Carisbrook’s ”House of Pain”, taking a bonus point and securing their third win from six matches to entrench themselves mid-table.
The New Zealand side never surrendered the lead through the match, although the Reds looked threatening when they drew within a point early in the second spell. But the rest of the half belonged to the Highlanders, who enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and territory.
”We’re happy with that; we want to get the most points we can at home,” skipper Josh Blackie said afterwards.
Blackie led the committed Highlanders pack in the first spell before coming off after taking a knock to the head, although he said afterwards his replacement was a precautionary measure only.
Lock James Ryan shone for the home side in the line-outs and in the loose with a series of barracking runs. The side was strongly marshalled by flyhalf Nick Evans, with the All Black making just his second start of the season after an unlucky run of injuries.
Evans quickly showed his class with a clever inside flick pass from more than 40m out in the fourth minute sparking a practised backline move that was finished with a touchdown by inside centre Aaron Bancroft.
After the two sides traded penalties, a ruck turnover gave the home side a heavy advantage in numbers right on the Reds line. Winger Lucky Mulipola lived up to his name to be on hand to dive over for the five points.
Former Wallaby Andrew Walker, playing his first match for the Reds after a stint playing in France, added class to the inexperienced Reds backline, touching twice in a sweeping backline move before Berrick Barnes scored in the 33rd minute. Barnes converted his own try to bring the Reds back into the game at 15-10.
But a dropped goal by Bancroft in the dying minutes gave the Highlanders a handy 18-10 half-time lead.
Queensland’s forwards brought the Reds back to within a point four minutes into the second spell after captain John Roe ripped the ball out of a maul to score.
But Highlanders fullback Glen Horton scored in the corner in the 57th minute following an Evans penalty, keeping the Highlanders well in front. Hooker Jason Macdonald bulldozed his way over in the 74th minute to put the result beyond doubt. — AFP
