Smith lifts Highlanders to ninth straight win
NNEW Zealand 19. Australia 0.
The streaking Highlanders’ 44-28 win against the Waratahs in Dunedin last night ensured New Zealand Super Rugby teams remained blemish free against the folk across the ditch.
That wasn’t the only streak the Highlanders kept going, as they rolled to a franchise record extending ninth win on the bounce.
Outside of the unbeaten Crusaders, who played the Rebels in Melbourne last night, the Highlanders solidified their tag as the hottest team in the competition.
However, their latest win, which drew them level with the second-placed Chiefs (45 points) in the New Zealand conference, didn’t come as easy as the final score made it appear.
They had to come from 14-13 down at halftime, a task made easier when Waratahs lock Dean Mumm was yellow carded for a reckless tackle on Elliot Dixon in the 45th minute.
The home side promptly fired up a rolling maul and hooker Liam Coltman crashed over for the go-ahead score.
Wing Tevita Li collected a rare Malakai Fekitoa chip kick and dotted down five minutes later and the Highlanders never looked back.
While the Waratahs still haven’t won in Dunedin since 2008, they did at least deny the Highlanders a crucial BP, when Jake Gordon dotted down in the last couple of minutes.
In his second game back from a lengthy hamstring injury, first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga got another run when he was subbed on for the ever popular Marty Banks.
Sopoaga scored one of his team’s six tries and was involved in a couple more.
Ben Smith, who tied Anton Oliver’s franchise record for 127 appearances, was at his illusive best in his return from a threeweek lay-off with an ankle injury.
It sure didn’t appear as if the All Blacks co-captain hadn’t played the past three weeks
His rare ability to make players miss and drive through defenders with his powerful legdrive is a sight to behold, and no doubt one which had All Blacks coach Steve Hansen smiling.
Midfielder Richard Buckman, who was perhaps a fraction fortunate to score the game’s opening try in the 15th minute, was also outstanding, particularly defensively.
His mistake-free game and ability to turn the ball over in the tackle was on show again, and his potential match-up with Crusaders midfielder Ryan Crotty next weekend looms as a must-watch.
Buckman scored the opener after he pounced on a loose ball, a result of Waratahs pivot Bernard Foley having a kick charged down by Luke Whitelock inside his own 22.
Referee Ben O’Keeffe asked for TMO Shane McDermott to have a gander and, despite Buckman appearing to be a step offside, the try stood.
The Waratahs hit back with tries to Israel Folau and giant winger Taqele Naiyaravoro, who bumped off Smith on the cusp of halftime.
As good as Smith was in his return, he won’t have fond memories of the last couple of minutes of the first half.
He knocked on Foley’s missed penalty attempt, which gave the visitors the 5m scrum to setup Naiyaravoro’s try - the result of a peach of a pass from halfback Nick Phipps to the big man out wide.
But the Waratahs, who missed 23 tackles on the night, were outclassed in the second half as Rob Thompson, Daniel Lienert-Brown and Sopoaga - who was very impressive off the bench - also scored for the home side.