There was something in the air in Dunedin for their first match of the year – and even in the context of what has been a stunning start to the Super Rugby Pacific season, the Highlanders 29-21 win over the Blues still felt special.
With a touching tribute to Connor Garden-Bachop ahead of the game, Jamie Joseph’s men put together a stunning performance, particularly when having to play the last twenty minutes of the match with 13 men.
The match didn’t seem like it would go this way at it’s inception, with the heavily favoured Blues getting on the scoresheet early thanks to some quick thinking by Finlay Christie, before Beauden Barrett nabbed the visitors’ second.
However, Sam Gilbert’s boot kept the hosts in the hunt – and when he and Finn Hurley scored back-to-back tries late in the first half, the zoo quickly got behind him, turning the Forsyth Barr Stadium into a hostile environment for the current champions.
Despite this, the Blues went into the break with a one-point lead – and were first on the scoreboard in the second half through hooker Ricky Riccitelli.
However, from that point on, it was all the Highlanders.
A second try to Finn Hurley and two penalty goals by Gilbert pushed the Highlanders out to eight – however they had to dig deep with Daniel Lienert-Brown sent for a dangerous cleanout, and All Black Ethan de Groot limping off injured – meaning the hosts had to resort to uncontested scrums.
However, the Blues could not break the line no matter how hard they tried, and thanks to stunning performances by Hurley – who was best on park and showcased a support, running game and awareness that should make Scott Robertson sit up and pay attention.
So good was his performance in fact, the comparisons between him and current Chiefs’ fullback Damian McKenzie were hard to ignore.
Close behind him was Timoci Tavatavanawai, who was an absolute wrecking ball in general play and pinned the Blues back thanks to a phenomenal boot.
The Highlanders will travel to face Moana Pasifika next week, while the Blues return to Eden Park to host the Brumbies.
