Highlanders denied at death by Brumbies
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
The Highlanders have been denied a place in Super Rugby Pacific's top-six by a late try.
Jamie Joseph's side conceded a 75th-minute try to fall to the ACT Brumbies to open Round 9 at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday night, keeping them just outside the potential playoffs spot.
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Despite coughing up 18 turnovers, the Brumbies responded to their defeat to the NSW Waratahs two weeks ago with a gutsy victory in the defensive battle, ending a run of three losses in four matches.
The Highlanders made six changes ahead of Friday's clash and struggled to break down the visitors' rigid defence, but a second-half try to wing Jona Nareki did threaten a boilover.
A controversial late yellow card to hooker Henry Bell for head contact in a tackle was costly, although the Brumbies ball carrier initiated the head contact. All Blacks prop Ethan de Groot sparked the home team, with 16 tackles.
The Brumbies started slowly, but finally scored the first try when Ryan Lonergan picked up the ball from the ruck and slammed over the line in the 35th minute. He ran for 98m in his 100th Super Rugby match.
Trailing 7-3 at halftime, the Highlanders piled on the pressure and took the lead when Nareki kicked and caught his chip in the 63rd minute.
Just as the Kiwis looked to ice the result, Bell was sidelined, and the Brumbies capitalised when Luke Reimer crashed over in the 75th minute.
ACT Brumbies 14 (Ryan Lonergan, Luke Reimer tries; R Lonergan 2 con) Highlanders 10 (Jona Nareki try; Cam Millar con, pen). HT: 7-3
