The Otago Highlanders kept their faint Super 14 semifinal hopes alive when they just held off a fast-finishing New South Wales Waratahs 26-25 on Saturday.
Trailing by 20 points with 13 minutes remaining, the Waratahs launched a spirited counterattack and scored three tries to almost steal an unlikely win.
Waratahs fullback Peter Hewat had a chance to win the game with a conversion from the sideline but he sent his kick just wide and let the shell-shocked Highlanders off the hook.
”That was a terrible game to lose,” Waratahs captain Rocky Elsom said.
”We had a game plan, we wanted to attack and keep attacking, but the ball was very slippery tonight.
”But the boys kept doing it, and kept doing it and we came home, but not quite enough to win it — it breaks your heart.”
The close result seemed undeserved after the Waratahs spent the first 65 minutes showing why they are second last on the Super 14 table.
Their scrum struggled, their line-out was a mess and their backline looked completely off the pace as the Highlanders raced away to score three tries in the first half and lead 20-6 at the break.
The Waratahs were found out for a lack of pace out wide throughout the first half as the Highlanders’ backs cut their opponents to ribbons.
They started the half-chipping ahead to turn the Waratahs backs around, then when the defenders dropped back slightly to cover the kicks, the Highlanders ran at them at pace, creating gaps and making ground with ease.
Their first try came from a chip kick ahead from fullback James Wilson. Winger Viliame Waqaseduadua chased through and beat Lote Tuqiri and Hewat to touch down.
The Waratahs struck back with two penalties to Hewat as they had the lion’s share of possession, but as soon as the Highlanders got the ball they looked dangerous.
In the 31st minute the Highlanders were awarded a free kick on the 22 and from the quick tap flyhalf Nick Evans finished off a crisp backline movement to cross out wide.
Four minutes later outside centre Jason Kawau strolled over under the posts as the Waratahs’ backline defence was again found wanting.
Evans kicked two penalties at the start of the second half and the game appeared heading for an easy Highlanders win when the Waratahs struck back.
Exciting young scrumhalf Josh Holmes scored, then set up Hewat for the first of his two tries.
Then with the clock ticking Hewitt regathered a chip ahead to cross out wide and narrow the gap to one point.
Highlanders coach Gordon Cooper said his side had slipped off the pace with 20 minutes to go and almost paid the penalty.
”They overpowered us in the defensive line towards the end. We just did enough to win the game, but we made it hard for ourselves,” he said. — AFP
