Brown sinks his former mates

Highlanders 11 Sharks 26

Tony Brown made a highly successful return to Carisbrook last night and inflicted untold pain on the Highlanders as he guided the Sharks to an emphatic 26-11 win in their sixth round Super 14 match.

It was a devastating blow to the Highlanders, who after winning two matches on their tour of South Africa, were often lethargic and inaccurate against a team they were expected to beat.

Brown contributed 11 points with four goals from seven attempts but it was his experience and know-how which proved decisive.

There was something bizarre about the sight of the blond-haired Brown, who played 83 matches for the Highlanders and 70 for Otago during his lengthy career, playing in the opposition kit.

But Brown is first and foremost a competitor and he did the Highlanders no favours as the Sharks finally made the most of the rub of the green with a three-tries-to-one victory.

This was a devastating loss for the Highlanders. Their energy levels were down and, after being 8-8 at halftime, they struggled in the second spell. They were able to exert little pressure in the forwards and there was no way through the stout Sharks defence.

John Smit, in his first start of the season, was an inspirational leader and hooker for the Sharks and loose forwards AJ Venter and Jacques Botes were outstanding, while halfback Ruan Pienaar, Brown, speedy wingers Odawa Ndugane and Henno Mentz and fullback JP Pietersen were accomplished backs.

The Highlanders remain on 13 points and, with Nick Evans gone for the season with a broken collarbone, the remainder of their camapaign is not easy. The Sharks now have 11 points and renewed confidence on their return to South Africa.

Richard Kahui scored the first try - his third in three games - after nine minutes, the spark a penetrative run down the right wing by Neil Brew which ended with the ball being lost forward.

The Highlanders shunted the Sharks at the ensuing scrum to gain a tight-head, the ball was moved to the left where Kahui collected Ben Blair's pass and, after lengthy deliberation by the television match official, was judged to have scored in the tackle of JP Pietersen.

But the Sharks struck back, with right wing Ndugane scoring an outstanding kick-and-chase try.

Brown's handy penalty gave the Sharks an 8-5 lead, that lasted only two minutes before Blair kicked his first penalty to level the scores.

The Highlanders had a slight edge in territory and possession in the first half but turned over hard-won possession several times and seldom operated with much fluency against a committed Sharks side.

Filipo Levi, playing his 50th Super match, briefly replaced openside flanker Tim Boys, who was in the blood bin, and Chris Smylie came on for Jimmy Cowan just after the break in a bid to inject fresh enthusiasm into the Highlanders.

Blair kicked his second penalty to make it 11-8 seven minutes into the second spell after the Highlanders attacked strongly but there was no way through.

Levi made his second appearance soon after, this time as a sub for lock Tom Donnelly as the Highlanders began to feel the effects of their three-match trek to South Africa.

Brown levelled the scores at 11-11 again after 22 minutes when his opposite, Bruce, was penalised for playing the ball on the ground and soon after the Sharks broke the game wide open.

Fullback Pietersen split the Highlanders' defence and Mentz pinned his ears back as he sprinted 30 metres to the line. Brown missed the conversion but the Sharks, at 16-11, were in the box seat.

The Sharks almost scored again, when Botes lost the ball forward over the line but Brown kicked his third penalty to extend the lead to 19-11.

Botes finally had his reward when he latched on to a loose ball and raced 30 metres to the corner, Brown converting splendidly.

Sharks 26 (O. Ndugane, H. Mentz, J. Botha tries; T. Brown con, 3 pens).
Highlanders 11 (R. Kahui try; B. Blair 2 pens).

- HERALD ON SUNDAY