Highlanders defeat Reds 20-13 for first Super Rugby win of the season
Last Updated: 27/02/15 10:44am
The Highlanders registered their first victory of the Super Rugby season as they defeated the Reds by 20-13 in Dunedin.
The hosts led 9-3 after a tight first half thanks to three penalties from fly-half Marty Banks, but they fell behind for the first time on 53 minutes when Jake Schatz raced over from a five-metre scrum.
However, the Reds’ lead lasted just three minutes as Banks kicked the Highlanders back in front, and they seized control of the match when Waisake Naholo crashed over for a try 12 minutes from time.
"I was proud of the way we closed it out," said Highlanders captain Ben Smith. "It was a hard match so it was good to get away with the win."
The Reds abandoned their traditional conservative approach for a more attacking style, led by fly-half James O'Connor, who made his return to Super Rugby after spending the last two seasons in Europe with London Irish and Toulon.
Both teams showed plenty of attacking intent during the opening half but were unable to muster a try. Naholo came closest when chasing a well-weighted kick on 36 minutes, but he was beaten to the ball by Reds scrum-half Will Genia.
The face pace continued in the second half, with Genia held out over the line, but the Reds did grab the game’s first try after Schatz caught Aaron Smith out of position at a scrum and ran over unopposed.
O’Connor converted to put the Reds in front but it was short-lived as Banks kicked his fourth penalty as the game entered the final quarter.
Naholo sealed victory for the Highlanders, evading four defenders before bumping Lachie Turner to score in the corner.
Replacement fly-half Hayden Parker was unable to add the extras, and the Reds grabbed a losing point through a late O’Connor penalty.
