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‘We had a chance’: Aaron Smith reflects on last-minute loss to Tahs

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The Highlanders were on the cusp of a much-needed win on Friday night, but a last-minute try to Waratahs hooker Mahe Vailanu snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

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Following their loss to the Western Force in round nine, the Highlanders welcomed back All Blacks Aaron Smith and Folau Fakatava for their trip to Sydney.

All Blacks and Highlanders halfback Smith was also given the captaincy ahead of his first Super Rugby Pacific appearance in almost a month.

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Playing at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, the Highlanders were locked in a tense tussle early on.

The two teams couldn’t be separated for 17 minutes, before Waratahs centre Izaia Perese broke the deadlock with an incredible solo effort.

While they trailed at the break, the Highlanders eventually took the lead after two quick tries from in-form backrower Hugh Renton and captain Aaron Smith midway through the half.

But the Waratahs weren’t done yet.

Lock Pari Pari Parkinson was sent to the sin bin with five minutes to play which added more drama to the already enthralling spectacle, as the Tahs unleashed wave after wave of attacking pressure.

Shortly after, replacement Mahe Vailanu scored with a minute to play, which gave Ben Donaldson the chance to kick what ultimately ended up being the match-winning points.

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Speaking with former Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell after the match, Smith said both teams were “desperate for a win.”

“Pretty ugly, to be honest,” Smith said on Stan Sport.

“Two teams desperate for a win and trying really hard. You could see both teams really desperate and trying their hearts out but probably lacked a bit of accuracy – both teams.

“Lacked that real calmness to finish things and it was the team who could have the last punch.

“We had a chance to really put it out there and our skill errors and execution let us down.”

With the Highlanders leading by six points, Smith was subbed off with eight minutes to play.

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The world-class halfback was made to watch from the sidelines as the Waratahs continued to unleash an attacking onslaught on his side – and the Highlanders could only hold on for so long.

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“I wish when I came off it was at a better state of the game, not five or six points,” he added.

“That’s the hardest thing about Super Rugby Pacific, they’re 80-minute games and the cream of the crop are at the top because they nail execution and they’re ruthless in their detail.

“We’re still chasing that and we got shown a lesson in that last five minutes. They waited, patient, and stuck in, used their forwards to get their last five metres and yeah, it’s a bummer, it’s been a hard tour.”

It doesn’t get any easier for the Highlanders next week.

The Highlanders, who are currently eighth on the ladder, host the high-flying Chiefs in Dunedin in round 11.

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R
RedWarrior 8 minutes ago
Many England fans echoing the same gripe following Six Nations loss

The English defense was excellent in the first half. This is considering Ireland's attack has improved significantly since the Autumn with former Leinster attack coach Goodman. Ireland were beaten by NZ in the Autumn, are behind SA and arguably behind France so de facto 4th in order (rankings take time to catch up) As Eddie Jones said Ireland are still in that elite group so England's domination in the first half is noteworthy.

I believe they have spent the time since the Autumn largely on defence. On broken play they were relying on Smiths instint along with some jiggery pokery. For Smiths early line break a Twindaloo blocked Baird which left the gap for smith. It looked like he did Aki, but Baird was a little late arriving and clever play by Tom Curry allowed the gap for Smith. Earls line break was Smith spotting Baird coming out and beating him with a beautiful pass to Earl.

We saw the rehearsed plays for a couple of Ireland's tries. The Aki try was just identifying that England tended to hide Smith on the wing creating a vulnerability which Ireland exploited with one of Akis great finishes.

Although Ireland were relaxing at the end the two English tries were good enough quality and we may see more of it next week (Scotland will also have taken note).

Although on the easier side of the draw Borthwick almost took England to a RWC final.

But in common with the top4 you need to have firepower to get those tries in big games. Can Borthwick manage that? I don't think so.

Next week even if England have a great first half again, you would be looking at France converting 3 of those Irish chances and pushing on after the break.

Can Borthwick develop a plan to beat France in the next few years. If the answer is no England need to find someone who can.

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