The Highlanders survived a stirring second-half comeback from Moana Pasifika to secure a thrilling 31-29 victory at North Harbour Stadium on Friday evening, making it back-to-back wins following their upset over the Blues last weekend.
Key moments:
2′ – Hastie scores opening try following Manson’s break (0-5)
6′ – Gilbert penalty extends lead (0-10)
10′ – Mafile’o powers over from close range (5-10)
15′ – Havili scores wide after slick handling (10-10)
31′ – Tangitau intercept try from 95m (10-17)
34′ – Tele’a capitalises on Garden-Bachop error (10-24)
38′ – Dunshea crashes over for third Highlanders try in 10 minutes (10-31)
46′ – Savea claims high ball and races 40m to score (15-31)
65′ – Havili crosses for his second after Alaimalo break (22-31)
75′ – Tupou Ta’eiloa scores from tap move (29-31)
Jamie Joseph’s men appeared to be coasting when they built a commanding 31-10 half-time lead, but the hosts – playing at their new home ground for the first time – fought back valiantly, with four tries almost delivering a remarkable turnaround in front of their passionate supporters.
The visitors made the perfect start on a balmy Auckland evening, with halfback Nathan Hastie crossing under the posts in just the second minute following brilliant footwork from Michael Manson, who was a late replacement for the injured Finn Hurley. Sam Gilbert’s conversion and subsequent penalty pushed the Highlanders out to a 10-0 lead with just six minutes gone.
Tana Umaga’s men responded impressively, with prop Sione Mafile’o barging over from close range in the 10th minute, before William Havili finished a slick backline move five minutes later to level the scores. However, two crucial missed conversions from Havili would ultimately prove costly.
A pivotal moment came in the 31st minute when Moana appeared poised to take the lead with an attacking opportunity deep in Highlanders territory. Instead, winger Caleb Tangitau intercepted Jonathan Taumateine’s ambitious pass and raced 95 metres to score untouched beneath the posts, completely changing the momentum of the match.
The Highlanders capitalised on this shift, adding two more tries before the break. First, midfielder Tanielu Tele’a pounced on a Garden-Bachop handling error, before lock Mitchell Dunshea powered over following a clever kick chase initiated by the increasingly influential Tangitau. These 21 unanswered points in a devastating 10-minute blitz before half-time turned what had been an even contest into a seemingly one-sided affair.
Trailing 31-10, Moana Pasifika needed inspiration, and it came through captain Ardie Savea early in the second half. The All Black star leapt high to claim a Highlanders kick before showcasing his blistering pace to outrun multiple defenders for a spectacular 40-metre try that breathed life back into the contest.
The match took a concerning turn around the 49-minute mark when Highlanders centre Cameron Millar was knocked unconscious in a collision with Danny Toala. Play was halted for several minutes as Millar received medical attention before being taken from the field on a medicart. From this point, the Highlanders lost all shape and direction, looking like a side who had endured a difficult couple of months.
As the final quarter approached, Moana’s superior fitness began to tell. William Havili crossed for his second try in the 65th minute after Solomon Alaimalo created space down the left flank, with replacement Patrick Pellegrini adding the extras to reduce the deficit to nine points.
The hosts continued to surge forward, their confidence growing with every phase. Five minutes from time, a clever tap penalty move saw Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa crash over near the posts, with Pellegrini’s conversion making it a two-point game heading into a nail-biting finale.
However, the Highlanders’ defence stood firm in the closing minutes, with a crucial lineout steal from TK Howden giving them the chance to wind down the remaining seconds and secure a victory they barely deserved on the basis of their second-half performance.
The match highlighted both teams’ contrasting strengths – the Highlanders’ clinical finishing and ability to capitalise on turnovers versus Moana Pasifika’s attacking flair and superior fitness. For Moana, the missed conversions proved decisive, with Havili’s early wayward attempts ultimately the difference between victory and defeat.
Nathan Hastie was outstanding for the Highlanders, showing a great running and kicking game, while Tanielu Tele’a charged to the line all day long with powerful carries. For the hosts, Ardie Savea was everywhere, securing five turnovers in a captain’s performance. Millenium Sanerivi and Sama Malolo put in a fantastic one-two punch in the front row, while Patrick Pellegrini provided plenty of impact off the bench and looks a good chance to start next week.
The Highlanders will gladly take their upcoming bye, before facing the Hurricanes in a fortnight. Meanwhile, Moana Pasifika will be gutted to come up just short after pouring everything into a tremendous second-half comeback. They rectified some of their defensive issues and won the collision battle convincingly, but ultimately lacked the polish to complete what would have been a famous comeback victory.
The result leaves the Highlanders with two wins from three matches, while Moana Pasifika remain winless but will take a valuable bonus point into their clash with the Hurricanes in Albany next Saturday.
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