Rugby: Late rally not enough for Highlanders

Highlanders fullback Israel Dagg is stopped by AJ Whalley of the Force during their match in Perth. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - A 28-point second half wasn't enough for the Highlanders who ended their Super 14 rugby season with a fifth consecutive defeat, 33-28 to the Western Force in Perth this morning (NZT).

The Highlanders were dead and buried at 0-23 down at halftime against a Matt Giteau-inspired Force before they rattled in four converted tries in the second half including a double to impressive winger Ben Smith.

Captain Jimmy Cowan dived over beside the posts for a consolation try on the fulltime hooter to give the visitors two bonus points at Subiaco Oval.

Still, it didn't mask a forgettable second half of the season for coach Glenn Moore's side who reached the competition halfway stage well in playoff contention.

They ended the season with four wins from 13 - one better than they managed last year in finishing 11th - while six of their defeats were by fewer than seven points.

"Credit to our boys for sticking in there in that second half, it's something they've shown all year, a bit of backbone which is what we needed in that second half," Cowan told Fox Sports.

"We've got a young side and it's a tough competition and you've got to be mentally up for every game. That's something these young fellas are adjusting to."

Meanwhile coach John Mitchell's Force farewelled a lineup of stars in style, despite being out of playoff contention thanks to two agonising defeats in South Africa.

Giteau, bound for the ACT Brumbies, showed how much he'd be missed in Perth while halfback Josh Valentine (Brumbies), fullback Drew Mitchell (Waratahs), winger Scott Staniforth, hooker Tai McIsaac and lock Tamaiti Horua (all overseas) played their last matches for the franchise.

Japan-bound Staniforth, playing his 100th Super rugby match, signed off with a tryscoring double.

It took just 42 seconds for the Force to score first, when Giteau spotted the Highlanders' backs up flat and grubbered for centre Ryan Cross to dot down.

It was 10-0 inside 10 minutes when the Force recycled quick ball and fast hands saw Staniforth cross out wide.

The Highlanders had plenty of first half attacking chances but the closest they got was when winger Fetu'u Vainikolo dived over in the corner but was denied by the video referee.

Two Giteau penalties extended the Force lead then the Wallabies' wizard laid on another try to Staniforth with a banana kick to the right flank which caught Vainikolo off his line.

The Highlanders' attacking endeavour was finally rewarded three minutes after the break when pivot Daniel Bowden directed play and Smith jinked past Cross out wide.

Bowden converted and the Highlanders were under way.

Giteau goaled another penalty to extend the lead then two minutes later the Highlanders were snuffed out when winger Haig Sare scored when the visitors were again caught short out wide.

It finally sparked the visitors into action and they scored two tries in two minutes to offer faint hope; Smith gathering a Giteau chip and racing 50m to cross untouched then lock Tom Donnelly scoring an excellent team try from an Israel Dagg crosskick on his own 22m line.

A trybound Vainikolo was then denied a second time when he crossed out wide only to be called back for a forward pass with 10 minutes remaining.

Force 33 (Scott Staniforth 2, Ryan Cross, Haig Sare tries; Matt Giteau 3 pen, 2 con) Highlanders 28 (Ben Smith 2, Tom Donnelly, Jimmy Cowan tries; Daniel Bowden 4 con). Halftime: 23-0.

- NZPA