Baby Landers start with convincing win
THE Highlanders opened their account with a convincing 4029 win over the Blues at the national under20 tournament in Taupo yesterday.
Towering lock Fabian Holland led the effort up front with support from powerful No 8 Semisi TupouTa’eiloa, while halfback Noah Hotham was impressive behind the scrum and centre Jake Te Hiwi was a source of several highlights.
The Baby Landers drilled an early penalty through super boot Cameron Millar and edged further ahead when Southland openside flanker Hayden Michaels slipped through off the back of a lineout.
Te Hiwi made some strong carries in the midfield, and TupouTa’eiloa barged his way forward.
The next points came through a horrid lineout. The Blues went long but Hotham collected it and brushed off several tackles in a 15m run to the line.
The Blues replied midway through the half when outside back Liam Brady crossed following a long buildup.
The try sparked the Blues, who added another before the break. Second five Quinton Nichols cut through a hole and offloaded nicely to centre Essendon Tuitupou to finish.
Millar nailed a late penalty to give his side a 2012 lead at the halftime break.
The Highlanders extended their advantage early in the second spell with a clever lineout move. Hooker Jack Taylor went over in the corner.
Then a quick tap led to the best try of the game. Hotham carried it forward and Te Hiwi’s extraordinary behindtheback pass put winger Jeremiah Asi in the corner.
Byron Smith provided a tremendous assist as well. His skip pass found winger Cephus Salaivao, who stepped his marker and scored for the Blues.
The Blues scored two further late tries but had fallen too far behind.
In the other games, the Barbarians edged the Crusaders 1715 to remain unbeaten, and the Chiefs were too strong for the Hurricanes, winning 5826.
In the final round on Saturday, the Blues play the Crusaders, the Barbarians play the Hurricanes, and the Highlanders face the Chiefs.