Highlanders beat Hurricanes in Wellington

Out of the last five Super Rugby matches between the Hurricanes and the Highlanders the Hurricanes have won two and the Highlanders three.

Match detail

We are waiting for the kick off.

The Highlanders kick off and we are underway.

2.00: The Highlanders make a good start but then concede a penalty for not releasing. Barrett kicks for touch and sets up the line out.

3.00: The Hurricanes win the line out and Barrett kicks for the corner for Julian Savea to chase. He gets to the ball and knocks it back and the Hurricanes continue to attack.

4.00: Good defence from the Highlanders pushes the Hurricanes back and out of the Highlanders 22. The Hurricanes however continue to attack as they go through the phases.

5.00: The Hurricanes win a penalty for a high tackle by Jarrad Hoeata. Barrett will kick for posts.

6.00: Barrett takes the shot and nails it. The Hurricanes lead.

8.00: The Highlanders keep the Hurricanes inside their half but a series of kicks,  phase play and defence. The Hurricanes (Tim Bateman) slip through a tackle but when the secondary defence comes the ball goes into touch.

10.00: The game is being played around the half way line as both teams test each other’s defence with kicks and runs.

12.00: The Highlanders work the ball up to the Hurricanes 5m line. They are stopped on the line so they go wide. The ball slows at the posts and the Highlanders use the pick and go over and over again.

13.00: The Hurricanes hold the Highlanders out for several phases but then they go over and we check to see the grounding. The Highlanders have a penalty advantage anyway. Over to the TMO. No try but we go back for the penalty.

15.00: Hayden Parker takes the kick and slots it.

19.00; The Highlanders are forcing the Hurricanes to play their game in their own half.

20.00: Penalty on the half way line to the Highlanders – offside at the ruck. Parker says they will kick for posts.

21.00: Parker lines up and gives it a big shot. He nails it. Highlanders lead.

25.00: The Hurricanes but through a tackle and get into the Highlanders 22. They have a few runs towards the line but they can’t get through again and we are called back for a penalty.

27.00: Barrett takes the kick and slots it. The scores are level.

29.00: The Hurricanes move the ball out wide and Conrad Smith passes to Julian Savea. He races down the wing but is caught and he loses the ball into touch. Try saving tackle by Malakai Fekitoa.

30.00: The Highlanders win the line out but the Hurricanes knock on in the centre of the field so the Highlanders have a scrum. The scrum collapses and the Highlanders have a free kick.

33.00: Penalty to the Hurricanes. Instead of kicking for posts they kick for touch. Nasi Manu gets some help from the medics which holds up the game.

35.00; Julian Savea is tackled in the air going for a ball by Hayden Parker. We go to the TMO to check and a penalty is awarded to the Hurricanes. They kick for touch.

36.00: The Hurricanes overthrow the line out. We have a scrum.

37.00: TJ Perenara knocks the ball out of Aaron Smith’s hands. He pounces on the ball and dives over the line to score. We go to the TMO to check if it was all legal. It’s a TRY! Perenara.

38.00: Andre Taylor slots the conversion. It looks like Beauden Barrett is off.

40.00:Highlanders line out just inside the Hurricanes 22.

40.20: The siren sounds as the Highlanders attack 10m out.

41.00: Penalty to the Highlanders. Holding on. They will kick for posts. Parker takes the kick and nails it.  

It’s half time.

The half time score was Hurricanes 13 Highlanders 9

Beauden Barrett kicks off and the second half is underway.

41.00; Injury break for Nasi Manu. He carries on.