Rugby: Smith pair leaves Highlanders green around gills

Josh Bekhuis, of the Highlanders, meets the Force defence at Carisbrook last night. Photo / Getty Images

Welcome to the warzone of Super 15 and farewell to Carisbrook.

The Force mocked Jamie Joseph's assessment about the calibre of rugby in the New Zealand conference as they ran down the Highlanders last night, rubbed their hosts' noses in the old turf and nudged them out of the race for the playoffs.

Former Hurricane and Blues wing David Smith was the chief tormentor, scoring twice and having two other tries rubbed out as the Force claimed 18 unanswered second-half points.

There was plenty of courage in the trenches from the hosts who, were clad in their new cosmic green costume, but in the end they ran out of gas, ideas and skill in their last appearance at the famous stadium.

But there was even more grit from the Force, who have long-haul journeys to every away match but pushed through tiredness and a huge deficit to surge to an inspiring victory.

The first try in the new Kermit Kit went to fullback Ben Smith, continuing his push for an All Blacks return.

It capped a freakish piece of football after the Force were penalised deep inside the Highlanders 22. As they wandered back Jimmy Cowan kicked the ball out 5m from the Force line. That concession became a calamity for the tourists when they overthrew their lineout and Smith ranged up in midfield to score.

Lima Sopoaga was a core figure in much of the locals' work. He is only 20, but already looks a classy player.

A week ago, he copped criticism for a late kick which missed touch, leading to the Lions' match-clinching try. There were no signs last night of any baggage from that mishap.

Sopoaga, with Beauden Barrett and Gareth Anscombe, is in a wave of young five-eighths talent in New Zealand. Last night, he took the ball to the line, teasing the defence, offering rock-solid tackling and a strong kicking game as well.

Smith's try for the Highlanders in the first spell was a meagre reward for the chances they had.

The key segment came after 25 minutes when Force five-eighths James Stannard went to the bin for an early tackle. When he returned, only one further penalty had been added.

The miserly concession was due to heroic Force defence and the Highlanders' soggy attacking choices. They lost out driving for the line several times, then Adam Thomson was tackled into touch in-goal by the much smaller Smith, as the flanker ran too upright.

If that was a waste the Highlanders were robbed after the interval when Siale Piutau shifted past his marker down the left flank. As he offloaded in the tackle the ball hit a defender's head but unsighted referee Jonathan White ruled a knock-on.

21 Force

Tries: D Smith 2
Penalties: J Stannard 3
Conversion: J Stannard

14 Highlanders

Tries: D Smith
Penalties: L Sopoaga 3
Halftime: 14-3