8.00pm - By GREG TOURELLE
SYDNEY - The Highlanders gave themselves a Super 12 lifeline when they launched a dramatic fightback to down the New South Wales 29-28 at Aussie Stadium on Saturday evening.
The win was all the more incredible because the Highlanders played all but four minutes of
the second half with only 14 men after lock Felipo Levi was sent off for throwing an elbow to opponent lock Justin Harrison's head.
The Highlanders were down 7-28 early in the second spell but fought back with typical southern tenacity to take the lead with just five minutes to go when skipper Anton Oliver charged over with his entire pack crashing over the top of him.
Waratahs centre Matt Burke could have won the match with a 30m penalty attempt from straight in front in the final minute but it rebounded off the posts and the jubilant Highlanders were able to clear the ball into touch.
It was a huge dent in the hopes of the Waratahs for Super 12 glory as a win would have put them into the top four with a shot at a possible home semifinal.
Instead, they could now miss the playoffs.
It was a game played with plenty of passion, particularly by the visitors.
They started well, dominating the early exchanges, but the Waratahs scored first when first five-eighth Shaun Berne kicked a penalty.
He added two more in the last 10 minutes to give the Waratahs a 16-7 lead at halftime after promising Highlanders winger Matt Saunders and Waratahs flanker Simon Kasprowicz had traded tries.
The Highlanders showed a preference to take up the ball in the forwards, with first five-eighth Tony Brown dictating tactics, while the Waratahs were keen to spin it wide most times, but found the stout defence tough to pierce.
The Waratahs extended their advantage just two minutes into their second half when, after several phases, Matt Burke found himself in space, easily gliding around prop Clarke Dermody and then feeding Morgan Turuinui out on the right flank who ran in to score.
The Highlanders suffered a major blow two minutes later when locks Levi and Harrison exchanged blows in an ugly fracas.
South African touch judge Tappe Henning told referee Shaun Veldsman that Levi had started it by throwing an elbow at Harrison's head.
The Highlanders man was despatched with a red card, while Harrison received a yellow one for retaliation.
Winger Scott Staniforth scored soon after for the Waratahs but the Highlanders recovered from the setback to score a try after some sustained attack when replacement fullback Glen Horton flicked a deft pass to Saunders, who clinched a double for the match. Brown converted.
The Highlanders snuffed out some dangerous looking Waratahs moves midway through the second spell, but the opposition didn't help themselves with some clumsy tactical decisions.
Then, with 13 minutes to go, after some sustained link work between backs and forwards, replacement No 8 Sam Harding charged through some flimsy Waratahs' tackles to score.
Brown missed an easy conversion but was on target shortly afterwards with a penalty after touch judge Henning again intervened, this time over a Waratahs infringement.
The Highlanders charged forward again and valiant captain Oliver scored as a rolling maul stormed over the Waratahs' line.
Brown, who had a fine farewell match at Aussie Stadium, converted and it was a helter skelter last five minutes, with the Waratahs throwing everything at their opponents.
When the referee signalled advantage for a Highlanders' indiscretion with two minutes to go, Burke tried to snap over a field goal with his left foot but it missed. And then the ball rebounded off the upright when he tried again from the resulting penalty.
It is understood Levi and Harrison were involved in another altercation after the final whistle, with match officials needed to restrain the Highlanders lock.
Scorers:
Highlanders 29 (Matt Saunders 2, Sam Harding, Anton Oliver tries; Tony Brown 3 con, 1 pen)
Waratahs 28 (Simon Kasprowicz, Morgan Turinui, Scott Staniforth tries; Matthew Burke 2 con, 1 pen; Shaun Berne 2 pen)
HT: 7-16
- NZPA
* Visit nzherald.co.nz throughout the weekend for Super 12 updates.
2004 Super 12 draw, results and points table
New Zealand squads and information
Australian squads
South African squads
8.00pm - By GREG TOURELLE
SYDNEY - The Highlanders gave themselves a Super 12 lifeline when they launched a dramatic fightback to down the New South Wales 29-28 at Aussie Stadium on Saturday evening.
The win was all the more incredible because the Highlanders played all but four minutes of
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