Rugby: Highlanders grind out win over Bulls

Mike Delaney of the Highlanders makes a break during the round 12 Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Hurricanes at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Photo / Getty Images.

Highlanders 16
Bulls 11

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has been complaining about getting a few more grey hairs thanks to the Highlanders close games.

Well, he better make an appointment with the hairdresser this week, as the Highlanders went down right to the wire yet again, before beating the Bulls 16-11 at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.

The game was tight throughout, with neither team getting any ascendancy as defence dominated and it became a real arm wrestle.

But the Highlanders made a couple of key plays, at the right time, none better than replacement flanker Scott Fuglistaller grabbing a turnover in the 80th minute to finally put the Bulls to bed.

The Highlanders deserved to win as they were more intent on attacking and willing to use the ball.

The Bulls were content to just back their defence, and back their kicking game.
It nearly got them home but the Highlanders showed just enough desperation to come away the winner.

It won the game, scoring 10 points midway through the second half, when it camped in the Bulls red zone and banged away relentlessly.

Down one man thanks to persistent offending, the Bulls just spread across the field, and totally backed their defence.

Highlanders lock Jarrad Hoeata tried to barge across the line but after some long looks on the television screen, the officials decided he did not score.

But they could not stop him from the resulting scrum.

The Highlanders set up three quick rucks and then Hoeata just threw his body over the line and put his side ahead for the first time in the match.

Delany knocked over the conversion and that gave the home side a seven point lead.
Delany then put his side 10 points ahead with just over 10 minutes left with a penalty.

The Bulls though finally decided to show they had an attacking game, but prop Dean Greyling dropped the ball in the process of scoring a try.

But the Bulls could not be stopped and replacement hooker Wllie Wepener went over to keep his side in the contest.

The conversion crucially missed and that gave the Highlanders a five point lead going into the last five minutes.

It was nail biting stuff in the end as the Highlanders gave away a couple of penalties, and the Bulls surged on to attack.

But Nasi Manu, who had kept working all night, won a turnover penalty and the Highlanders looked home although Fuglistaller had to do the business to give his new team the victory.

Manu was again good for the victors as was fullback Ben Smith while winger Hosea Gear got through plenty of work.

Best for the Bulls was lock Flip van der Merwe, and halfback Francois Hougaard did little wrong.

The first half was one of plenty endeavor from the home team with little to show for it.
Morne Steyn, who was playing his 100th game for the Bulls at this level, opened the scoring with a straight forward penalty after 13 minutes, although he did miss an easier one after just four minutes.

The Highlanders attempted to run the ball at every opportunity but the last pass did not stick when it mattered, and the Bulls defence was rock solid.

The Bulls were winning the set piece battle with ease and the Highlanders lineout was messy.

The home side turned down an easy penalty attempt after quarter of an hour, but finally got on the board after 26 minute with a Delany penalty.

Steyn though put his side ahead at the break, with a simple penalty three minutes from the break.

Highlanders 16 (Jarrad Hoeata try, Mike Delany con, 3 pen) Bulls 11 (Willie Wepener try, Morne Steyn 2 pen)
Halftime: 6-3 Bulls
Crowd: 14,967