Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Match Highlights: Aaron Smith's try snatches dramatic win for 14-man Highlanders over Chiefs

Aaron Smith’s late try saw the 14-man Highlanders come from behind to snatch a 30-27 victory over the Chiefs in the first game of the 2019 Super Rugby season.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Highlanders appeared to be down and out when Sio Tomkinson was sent off for a head-high shoulder charge on Brodie Retallick – who was unable to continue – and Stephen Donald scored the resultant penalty to put the Chiefs seven points up with 12 minutes to play.

However, Josh Ioane hit back with a three-pointer from the tee and Smith wrongfooted the defence on the try-line to dive in for the winning score.

Pari Pari Parkinson powered over to put the Highlanders ahead early on, but Tyler Ardron and Angus Taavao-Matau crossed before Nathan Harris’ brilliant offload sent Etene Nanai-Seturo in at the left corner.

Nanai-Seturo touched down again off a tremendous cross-field kick from Orbyn Leger to send the Chiefs 11 points clear, but Tyrel Lomax’s powerful run and offload enabled Shannon Frizell to reduce the arrears.

Despite Donald punishing Tomkinson’s reckless challenge on Chiefs captain Retallick, Smith found a gap to get Aaron Mauger’s side the victory with four minutes remaining.

Jack Maddocks touched down twice and Quade Cooper contributed nine points on his Super Rugby return as the Rebels beat the Brumbies 34-27 in Canberra.

ADVERTISEMENT

Wallabies wing Maddocks capitalised when pressure from Richard Hardwick saw Irae Simone kick the ball straight to him, but Rory Arnold leapt over a ruck to score in response and the Brumbies went into the break leading by three points.

Cooper, who last featured in the competition in July 2017 having been frozen out at the Reds for the entire 2018 season, converted Anaru Rangi’s unstoppable try before Maddocks dived forward to collect Bill Meakes’ kick and dot it down in one brilliant movement.

Sam Carter’s try set up a tense finale, but the hosts were unable to avoid starting their campaign with a home defeat.

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

N
Nickers 18 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

41 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Borthwick, it's time to own up – Andy Goode Borthwick, it's time to own up – Andy Goode
Search