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Match Highlights - Waratahs overrun Highlanders in stunning second-half fightback

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The Waratahs ran in three tries in seven second-half minutes to secure a superb 30-23 comeback win over the Highlanders and a spot in the Super Rugby semi-finals.

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Trailing by 17 at half-time, the Australian Conference winners staged a remarkable revival to pile on 24 unanswered points in the second period on the way to a second successive win over the Highlanders.

Bernard Foley was the chief destroyer, crossing twice either side of Israel Folau’s 10th of the season in a game-changing burst that began in the 54th minute.

The Waratahs had earlier appeared set for a quick exit from their first play-off appearance in three years when tries from Waisake Naholo and Rob Thompson, and a trio of Lima Sopoaga penalties, combined to put the Highlanders in a commanding position.

But the influence of fly-half Foley, who finished with 25 points, and some desperate defence late in the match, swung the contest in favour of the New South Wales franchise, who recorded their first post-season win since beating the Crusaders in the 2014 final.

Their hopes of more success now hinge on a semi-final date with either the Jaguares or the Lions, who meet later on Saturday.

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Nickers 32 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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