The Hurricanes have claimed their second win of the Super Rugby Pacific season with a nail-biting 20-18 victory over the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Friday night, ending the home side’s promising start to the campaign in front of 15,355 spectators.
Key moments:
4′ – TRY Hurricanes: Kini Naholo finishes in corner after slick handling from Ruben Love (0-5)
11′ – YELLOW CARD: Ngatungane Punivai (Hurricanes) for high contact on Timoci Tavatavanawai
12′ – PENALTY Highlanders: Sam Gilbert slots kick after Punivai yellow card (3-5)
17′ – PENALTY Hurricanes: Harry Godfrey extends visitors’ lead (3-8)
23′ – PENALTY Highlanders: Sam Gilbert narrows gap from directly in front (6-8)
38′ – TRY Highlanders: Caleb Tangitau intercepts Brad Shields pass for 80m sprint (11-8 HT)
43′ – TRY Hurricanes: Cameron Roigard finishes after Bailyn Sullivan’s line break (11-15)
59′ – TRY Highlanders: Ajay Faleafaga pounces on loose ball after Tangitau’s kick (18-15)
63′ – TRY Hurricanes: Ruben Love dives spectacularly in corner after Peter Umaga-Jensen break (18-20)
67′ – MISSED PENALTY: Sam Gilbert’s attempt from handy position drifts wide
72′ – TURNOVER: Du’Plessis Kirifi wins crucial penalty 5m from Hurricanes’ line
80+2′ – MISSED DROP GOAL: Sam Gilbert’s potential match-winner drifts wide
In a closely-fought Marvel-themed encounter that swung back and forth throughout, it ultimately came down to the final play, with the Hurricanes’ defensive resilience proving just enough to secure a vital win that lifts them off the bottom of the table.
From the opening whistle, the Hurricanes looked determined to silence their critics after a disappointing start that had left them at the bottom of the table. They capitalised immediately when Tanielu Tele’a spilled the kickoff inside his 22, giving the visitors prime attacking position. Clark Laidlaw’s men rolled up their sleeves early, with the forwards powering close to the line before Harry Godfrey’s long pass set fullback Ruben Love free on the left edge. Love quickly shuffled the ball to Naholo, who strolled over in the corner to open the scoring.
The Highlanders’ fortunes improved when Hurricanes midfielder Ngatungane Punivai received a yellow card in the 11th minute for high contact on Timoci Tavatavanawai – a collision that left Punivai worse off, knocked unconscious by the powerful Fijian’s carry. Surprisingly, referee Angus Mabey initially let play continue despite Punivai clearly being concussed, before showing the yellow card as the player was receiving medical attention. Punivai subsequently failed his HIA and was replaced by Fehi Fineanganofo when his 10 minutes in the sin bin had elapsed. Gilbert slotted the resulting penalty to narrow the gap to 5-3.
Despite being a man down, the Hurricanes defended doggedly and even reclaimed the lead when Harry Godfrey knocked over a penalty in the 17th minute. Gilbert responded with another three-pointer, setting the stage for the half’s defining moment.
With half-time approaching, Brad Shields attempted a floating basketball-style pass that proved disastrous. Tangitau – who is quickly developing a reputation as an intercept specialist after a similar effort against Moana Pasifika in round three – read it perfectly. The athletic winger plucked the ball from the air and showcased remarkable pace, outrunning Naholo, Godfrey and Love over 80 metres for a spectacular try. Gilbert’s conversion attempt drifted wide, but the Highlanders took an 11-8 advantage into the break, a lead that seemed improbable after their shaky start.
The visitors came out firing in the second half, building an impressive set of phases in Highlanders territory. The breakthrough came in the 43rd minute when All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard delivered a beautiful short ball to Bailyn Sullivan, who carved through a gaping hole in the defence. Sullivan beat Taine Robinson on the outside before unselfishly firing a pass back inside to the supporting Roigard, who finished with style. Godfrey added the extras to restore the Hurricanes’ lead at 15-11.
Shortly after taking the lead, Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw introduced his heavy artillery from the bench, with All Blacks Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax joining Isaia Walker-Leawere and Brayden Iose in a quadruple substitution designed to maintain momentum.
However, as the match approached the hour mark, the Highlanders struck back in opportunistic fashion. Tangitau – having another outstanding game – showed quick thinking after winning a penalty, putting in an audacious kick behind the defence and giving chase. When the ball bounced awkwardly over the heads of the Hurricanes defenders, replacement Ajay Faleafaga was on hand to gather and sprint away to score under the posts. Gilbert’s conversion put the home side ahead 18-15.
The lead was short-lived, however. Just four minutes later, Peter Umaga-Jensen made a strong break into the Highlanders’ 22, and after multiple phases had the defence stretched, Roigard snapped back to the short side where Love had enough space to execute a fancy dive in the corner. The try came after quick ball caught the Highlanders defence napping on the opposite wing from where the initial break occurred. Riley Hohepa, on for Godfrey, pushed the conversion wide, leaving the Hurricanes with a slender 20-18 advantage with 17 minutes remaining.
With the match on a knife edge, Gilbert had the chance to reclaim the lead for the Highlanders with a penalty after All Blacks prop Tyrel Lomax was caught not releasing, but his attempt from a handy position drifted wide with 13 minutes remaining.
Both sides had opportunities in a tense final quarter as the match descended into a defensive slugfest. The Highlanders mounted several promising attacks but were repeatedly thwarted by the outstanding Du’Plessis Kirifi, whose work at the breakdown proved decisive despite playing with a heavily strapped right thigh. The Hurricanes co-captain led from the front, with his side dominating the battle for turnovers as loose forwards and wingers Fineanganofo and Naholo all contributed to disrupting Highlanders ball.
With eight minutes remaining, Kirifi produced a match-defining turnover five metres from his own line, roaring in celebration so loudly it almost lifted the stadium roof as the penalty was awarded. It was a moment that exemplified the Hurricanes’ defensive grit and determination to avoid a fourth defeat of the season.
The drama continued until the final seconds in a test of wills between the sides. With the clock in the red, the Highlanders patiently built through 20-plus phases, methodically working into position for Gilbert to attempt a 40-metre drop goal that would have snatched victory. The stadium held its collective breath as the ball left his boot, only for it to drift agonisingly wide to the left, sparking jubilant celebrations from the visiting Hurricanes who had emptied their tanks to secure this crucial result.
For the Hurricanes, the win was built on resilience and clinical finishing, with Forsyth Barr Stadium continuing to be a happy hunting ground for them – their fifth consecutive victory at the venue. Roigard was sharp throughout, Sullivan dangerous with ball in hand, and Kirifi immense at the breakdown in a performance that suggests he should be in the conversation as Sam Cane’s successor for the All Blacks’ openside jersey. The return of All Blacks Aumua and Lomax off the bench in the second half provided crucial stability in the closing stages, particularly at scrum time.
The Highlanders will rue missed opportunities despite strong performances from Tangitau, the tireless Sean Withy, and the powerful Timoci Tavatavanawai. Halfback Nathan Hastie continued his fine season, frequently challenging the Hurricanes’ defence around the ruck. Josh Bartlett also made a significant impact off the bench in the latter stages, while the team is clearly missing injured fullback Finn Hurley for their wider attacking game.
The result sees the Hurricanes climb off the bottom of the table ahead of a well-timed bye week that will allow them to regroup and build on this potentially season-defining victory. Meanwhile, the Highlanders’ promising start to the campaign has been checked as they prepare to host the Queensland Reds at Forsyth Barr Stadium next Saturday night, looking to bounce back and secure their third win of the season.
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