Rugby: Highlanders the masters at defending leads

Josh Bekhuis of the Highlanders makes a break during the round three Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Waratahs at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Photo / Getty Images.

There are few New Zealand teams better than the Highlanders in defending a slim lead with the clock ticking down but it's not doing much for coach Jamie Joseph's health.

"In tight games, the Highlanders this year have shown a bit of nous, as well as a bit of ticker,'' Joseph said after watching his side maintain their unbeaten record with a 18-17 victory over the Waratahs, before explaining why it's not great for his own.

"We have played against some quality sides, and all of our games have gone down to last minute. It's not good for the heart but the players are obviously taking the learnings from the pressure games and applying it to the following week.''

In a topsy-turvy second half, fullback Colin Slade put the Highlanders ahead with 15 minutes left and had his forward pack to thank for keeping the narrow margin.

The Highlanders are now three from three and play the Hurricanes in a mouthwatering clash at Wellington's Cake Tin on Saturday night. Before the season it would have seemed fanciful, but this is a match between the two high-flyers in the New Zealand conference.

Much of their success has come from the way they attack the breakdown. They are ruthless in this area - the Chiefs repeated the tactics against the Crusaders, although they also showed a surprisingly good scrum - and although the Highlanders' wins over the Chiefs, Crusaders and Waratahs have been tight, they have been thoroughly deserved.

"We got ourselves into the game, then out of the game, and then got back into it. So the pleasing thing was we got away with the points. I thought the Waratahs played a hell of a game. They were physical against us and and could have won it,'' added Joseph.

The Waratahs led 9-8 at the break, impressive halfback Aaron Smith scoring the Highlanders' try. And although the Sydneysiders scored through flanker Pat McCutcheon - who went off with a serious ankle injury straight afterwards - loose forward John Hardie followed suit and there was only likely to be one winner once the home side got their noses in front.

Now Joseph is preparing his side to face the Hurricanes, who built on their victory over Lions by dismantling the Force 46-19 in Perth. The West Australian capital is never a happy hunting ground for New Zealand teams but Mark Hammett's young team did it with ease.

"They are a very young team that is playing with a lot of passion. Playing a bit like us really,'' said Joseph.

Halfback TJ Perenara led the way on debut for the Hurricanes, scoring three of his side's six tries.

"That bounce just went my way,'' Perenara said. ''Obviously it's just the beginning, and my goal is to secure a starting spot at the Canes. We've got three quality scrum-halves here, so it's going to be a tough job.''

Andre Taylor, Jason Eaton and Charlie Ngatai also scored tries on a night of disappointment for former skipper Nathan Sharpe Sharpe, who was supposed to be celebrating his 150th Super Rugby match, but instead was in a beaten team for the third week in row.

In Napier the Chiefs destroyed most predictions as well as the Crusaders forward pack to post a deserved 26-21 victory.

The Crusaders were unlucky that an Andy Ellis try was disallowed after he stole the ball from opposite Tawera Kerr-Barlow in the first half but this was a victory built on Chiefs' determination to prove the critics wrong and they did it to perfection.

Prop Ben Tam outdid his All Black opposite Ben Franks and on the other side Owen Franks met his match in Sona Taumalolo.

New Chief Sonny Bill Williams highlighted more leaky Crusaders defence when running through his former side and Aaron Cruden steadied the ship nicely, although he missed two easy penalty attempts.

The Crusaders have a bye next weekend, with the Chiefs hosting the Brumbies in Tauranga on Friday night.

Chiefs 24 (Liam Messam, Arizona Taumalolo tries; Aaron Cruden con, 4 pens) Crusaders 19 (Robert Fruean try; Tyler Bleyendaal con, 4 pens). HT: 16-6.

Hurricanes 46 (TJ Perenara 3, Jason Eaton, Charlie Ngatai, Andre Taylor tries; Beauden Barrett pen, 3 cons, Daniel Kirkpatrick pen, 2 cons) Western Force 19 (Matthew Hodgson try; James Stannard con, 4 pens). HT: 22-10.

Highlanders 18 (John Hardie, Aaron Smith tries; Colin Slade con, 2 pens) Waratahs 17 (Patrick McCutcheon try; Daniel Halangahu 4 pens). HT: 8-9.