Highlanders 44-28 Waratahs: Hosts fight back to thump Tahs
Last Updated: 27/05/17 1:30pm
The Highlanders overcame a half-time deficit to thrash the Waratahs in Dunedin and register a ninth straight Super Rugby victory.
The 2015 champions trailed the 2014 winners by one point at half-time but ran in five tries with some breathtaking rugby in the second half for a comfortable victory.
Centre Richard Buckman, winger Tevita Li, hooker Liam Coltman as well as replacement backs Rob Thompson, Daniel Lienert-Brown and Lima Sopoaga all crossed for the hosts.
Replacement scrum-half Jake Gordon scored twice for the Waratahs after the break to add to tries from Israel Folau and hulking winger Taqele Naiyaravoro in the first half. They will rue a costly 45th minute yellow card shown to Dean Mumm.
"I think we got momentum and managed to score from the lineout and things changed from there," Highlanders captain Ben Smith said. "We knew they were going to come here and really try to test us and they did that early."
While the Waratahs have scored 44 tries this season, they have conceded 46.
"Same story unfortunately," Waratahs captain Michael Hooper said. "Discipline killed us against a solid team like the Highlanders who really took their opportunities well."
