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Nine-try Highlanders thump Stormers

Patrick Osborne marked his 50th Highlanders appearance by scoring two tries and Waisake Naholo also claimed a brace in a ruthless 57-14 Super Rugby rout of Stormers.

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The 2015 champions ran riot at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday, turning on the style to stretch their winning run to five matches in devastating fashion.

Wing Osborne was outstanding in his landmark appearance for the in-form Dunedin-based franchise, helping himself to a first-half double as Highlanders scored nine tries in a ruthless demolition job.

Aaron Smith pulled the strings in a magnificent all-round performance from Tony Brown’s side, who led 31-7 at half-time after Nizaam Carr’s converted try had put Stomers in front early on.

Naholo and Liam Squire added further tries before the impressive Rob Thompson took a superb offload from Osborne to go under the posts before the break as Highlanders produced free-flowing rugby of the highest order.

New Zealand wing Naholo scored a second try following the interval and there were also tries for Dillon Hunt, Greg Pleasants-Tate and Matt Faddes in a Highlanders masterclass, with Stormers slipping to a third consecutive defeat.

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Nickers 25 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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