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Highlanders forced to dig deep to fight off spirited Drua in Suva

(Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

The Highlanders have cruelly denied Fijian Drua a historic win in their first Super Rugby Pacific match played at home, with a full house at Suva’s ANZ Stadium unable to lift their team to victory.

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The visitors rebounded from last week’s Super Round loss to the Brumbies to clinch a thrilling 27-24 win on Saturday.

The Highlanders didn’t hit the front until the 63rd minute when they declined a certain three points after receiving penalty and instead backed themselves to deliver a try from the line-out.

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Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 11

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They came up trumps through replacement hooker Rhys Marshall after they drove the ball over the line to take a 25-24 lead before that was extended by Mitchell Hunt’s conversion.

In their first season, the Drua played all their home games against Australian teams in Australia due to COVID-19 enforced travel restrictions.

They were given a raucous homecoming with more than 15,000 fans turning out to provide a carnival atmosphere with Mexican waves and horns blowing.

The Fijian faithful didn’t have to wait long to celebrate with halfback Frank Lomani scoring in the third minute.

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The Highlanders levelled soon after through Sam Gilbert after they worked the ball wide for the winger to flop across the line.

The Drua’s second try was special, starting inside their 22 with Vinaya Habosi tip-toeing down the sideline before turning on the burners.

They added a third when Kalaveti Ravouvou dived on to a Teti Tela kick into the in-goal and led 24-17 at halftime.

An early Highlanders penalty in the second half proved crucial in preventing a Fijian fairytale.

Marshall’s try was the only five-pointer of the second 40, with the Highlanders staying composed in the face of some relentless Drua attack as they hunted a match-winner.

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It was the men from Dunedin’s second win of the season, previously beating the other new competition entry in Moana Pasifika.

“That was a full 80 minute effort – a hell of a game and I’m so proud of our boys for sticking in there,” Highlanders skipper and halfback Aaron Smith told Stan Sport.

“We knew the Fijians were going to be very dangerous as they’re a team who can score out of nothing and they got a couple of early ones but we stuck to our plan.”

Drua captain Meli Derenalagi was disappointed they couldn’t deliver a first-up win.

“We knew the Highlanders were going to come at us and I’m proud of the effort of the boys, trying to stay competitive and playing 80 minute rugby,” he said.

Highlanders 27 (Tries to Sam Gilbert, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u and Rhys Marshall; 3 conversions and 2 penalties to Mitch Hunt)

Fijian Drua 24 (Tries to Frank Lomani, Vinaya Habosi and Kaleveti Ravouvou; 3 conversions and penalty Teti Tela)

– MORE TO COME

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith' Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'
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