Highlanders v Force result: Highlanders squander fast start to fall to Force

The Highlanders were handed their fifth defeat of the season after squandering a fast start in Perth, going down 29-20 to the Force.

The Highlanders held a 20-7 lead after 27 minutes but things didn’t go their way from there. The Force scored two tries before the break to close the gap to one.

Then Sean Withy was red-carded for an accidental knee to the head after sliding in late when Harry Potter dived over to give the Force the lead early in the second half.

The Force extended their lead with a George Poolman try and held on for the nine-point win to lift them into the top four.

Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot 2. Soane Vikena 3. Saula Ma’u 4. Fabian Holland 5. Mitch Dunshea 6. TK Howden 7. Viveni Lasaqa 8. Sean Withy 9. Nathan Hastie 10. Taine Robinson 11. Jona Nareki 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (c) 13. Thomas Umaga-Jensen 14. Caleb Tangitau 15. Sam Gilbert.

Bench: 16. Jack Taylor 17. Josh Bartlett 18. Sefo Kautai 19. Will Stodart 20. Michael Loft 21. Adam Lennox 22. Tanielu Tele’a 23. Michael Manson.

Unavailable: Oliver Haig (foot), Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (neck), Folau Fakatava (hamstring), Finn Hurley (quad), Nikora Broughton (ribs), Hugh Renton (groin).