All Blacks flanker Adam Thomson scored two tries to help the Otago Highlanders to a bonus-point 32-8 victory over the Cheetahs in a Super 14 match in Dunedin on Saturday.
The Highlanders battled back from an 8-5 deficit at halftime to score 27 unanswered points in the second half with an up-tempo game plan that ran the Cheetahs forwards ragged.
”The first half was disappointing,” Highlanders captain Jimmy Cowan said in a televised interview. ”We’ve been trying too much in the first 10 minutes and not getting phases or contiunuity in our game.
”But in the second half … it just goes to show what happens when you keep your hands on the ball and build continuity.We are just rapt to get five points.”
Fullback Israel Dagg gave his side the lead shortly after the break when the Cheetahs defenders failed to clear a Matt Berquist grubber kick, which bounced into Dagg’s arms on the try line.
Replacement loose forward Steven Setephano scored his side’s third try when he took a reverse pass from number eight George Nauopo, who had charged through three tackles.
Thomson scored the fourth try and sealed the bonus point for the home side in front of a small crowd at Carisbrook after scrumhalf Cowan burst free in midfield.
Dagg completed the scoring with his second try with three minutes remaining when the Highlanders swung the ball wide for the fullback to score in the corner.
Cheetahs winger Corne Uys scored his side’s only try, while flyhalf Jacques-Louis Potgieter landed an early penalty.
The Cheetahs are yet to win a game in this year’s Super 14. – Reuters