The Otago Highlanders produced a superb defensive effort and made their chance count to upset the Canterbury Crusaders 26-18 in their Super rugby match at Trafalgar Park on Saturday.
The Crusaders had crushed the Highlanders 44-13 five weeks ago and were expected to comfortably account for their southern neighbours as both sides rotated their squads to rest some front-line players.
“Both sides made changes and those guys who came in really wanted to have big games. It’s a testament to the culture we have got in our squad,” Highlanders captain Jamie Mackintosh said in a televised interview.
“It just shows that if we keep that good culture then guys can step up and play well and it’s enjoyable.”
Matt Berquist and Tony Brown traded early penalties to open the scoring in a high-paced match before Zac Guildford finished a brilliant try, sparked from deep inside their own half, and converted by Berquist.
The Highlanders dragged themselves back into the game with tries to wingers Siale Piutau and James Paterson after some determined defence and counter-rucking at the breakdown, which disrupted the Crusaders’ quick attacking platform and forced Berquist to slot a drop goal between the two Otago tries.
Brown, who at 36 has been brought back because of Colin Slade’s broken jaw, converted Paterson’s try but missed a late penalty as the visitors went into the break with a surprise 15-13 lead.
Paterson grabbed his second try of the match straight aftert the kick-off when the Highlanders attacked from a scrum on halfway and recycled several quick phases for Brown to cross-kick to Paterson, who was waiting unmarked on the wing.
The Crusaders then had a purple patch, demolishing the Highlanders scrum, but were also heavily penalised and unable to breach the defence.
The home side got a slice of luck when the Highlanders turned the ball over while on attack and centre Adam Whitlock scooped up the ball and sprinted 50m for a try.
Berquist missed the sideline conversion that would have levelled the score at 20-20.
Brown then slotted two penalties in quick succession to give the Highlanders a 26-18 lead with 15 minutes remaining and they then spent the rest of the time defending their advantage.
“Their defensive line was up real quick and they really slowed down our ruck ball and all credit to them, it won them the game,” Crusaders lock Chris Jack said.
“We didn’t perform that well but we were beaten by a better side on the day.” – Reuters