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Match Highlights: Highlanders deny Reds in Dunedin thriller

Dillon Hunt’s late try secured a 36-31 victory for the Highlanders over the Reds in a Super Rugby thriller at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday.

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The Highlanders came from behind to edge out the Chiefs in the first match of the season and they overcame another scare in Dunedin, where the Reds showed plenty of promise but started the campaign with a defeat.

Aaron Mauger’s men produced some slick handling for the opening try – scored by Rob Thompson – and led 24-17 at the break after New Zealand duo Shannon Frizell and Ben Smith also touched down.

The Reds also showed their attacking quality with a well-worked score from Chris Feauai-Sautia and a Moses Sorovi try, set up by a brilliant inside pass from Sefanaia Naivalu.

Frizzell’s second five-pointer early in the second half gave the Highlanders breathing space, but the Reds hit the front following tries from Izack Rodda and Feao Fotuaika – Bryce Hegarty converting the latter to take his tally to nine points.

Hunt claimed the decisive try six minutes from time, though, Dan Lienert-Brown setting up the back row, and Josh Ioane adding the extras for the fourth time in a pulsating tussle.

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Nickers 34 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.

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