Highlanders hold off Brumbies
The Brumbies suffered their fifth defeat on the bounce as they were edged out 26-20 by the Highlanders.
Last Updated: 01/04/11 4:23pm
The Brumbies suffered their fifth defeat on the bounce as they were edged out 26-20 by the Highlanders.
Hooker Jason Rutledge crashed over for two tries in two minutes and Jamie Mackintosh crossed once as the Highlanders all-but ended the Brumbies' play-off hopes.
Colin Slade also added a conversion and a penalty for the hosts, with replacement Tony Brown slotting over two penalties.
The win was the fourth of the season for the Highlanders, who find themselves pushing hard for the play-offs.
"It builds character when you have close wins like that and we're rapt," Highlanders captain Jamie McIntosh said.
"Jamie (coach Jamie Joseph) told us we're not a great team - and he didn't mean it disparagingly - and he said we have to work hard for our wins which is what we did today.
"Who would've thought we'd have four wins from six matches at this stage of the season. Not many people gave us a chance."
Matt Giteau, Andrew Smith and Patrick Phibbs scored tries for the Brumbies, but Giteau was only able to slot over one conversion and a penalty.
And Brumbies captain Giteau was left to rue his side's inability to take their chances with shots at goal.
"It's pretty disappointing. The goalkicking let us down and we gave away way too many penalties," Giteau said.
"We felt we had a lot of space out there but they competed really well at breakdowns."
