Highlanders produce upset

Brown: contributed to the Highlanders' win on Saturday

The Otago Highlanders produced an upset on Saturday to beat the Canterbury Crusaders 26-18 in their Super rugby match at Trafalgar Park.

The Crusaders had romped to a 44-13 win when the sides last met five weeks ago, but this time their opponents produced a superb defensive effort and also made their chances count.

Both sides rotated their squads to rest some front-line players, with Highlanders captain Jamie Mackintosh saying that served as motivation for his side.

"Both sides made changes and those guys who came in really wanted to have big games. It's a testament to the culture we have got in our squad," he said.

"It just shows that if we keep that good culture then guys can step up and play well and it's enjoyable."

A fast-paced match saw its first points when Matt Berquist and Tony Brown traded early penalties, with Berquist soon converting a brilliant try which was sparked deep inside the Crusaders' half and finished by Zac Guildford.

Determined

The Highlanders responded, though, and dragged themselves back into the game after some determined defence and counter-rucking at the breakdown.

Their opponents' quick attacking platform was therefore disrupted and, having established a foothold, the Highlanders scored tries through wingers Siale Piutau and James Paterson.

Berquist slotted a drop goal in between times but while Brown, who started because of Colin Slade's broken jaw, converted Paterson's try, he also missed a penalty near the end of the first half.

The visitors were 15-13 ahead at the interval, with Paterson grabbing his second try of the match straight after the kick-off.

He was found unmarked on the wing by a crossfield kick from Brown after the Highlanders had attacked from a scrum on halfway and recycled several quick phases.

The Crusaders then went route one but despite demolishing the Highlanders' scrum, they were heavily penalised and unable to breach the defence.

They did get a slice of luck, though, when the Highlanders turned the ball over while attacking and centre Adam Whitlock scooped up the ball and sprinted 50 metres for a try.

Better side

However, Berquist missed the sideline conversion that would have levelled the score at 20-20.

Two quick penalties from Brown put the Highlanders 26-18 up with 15 minutes to go and they spent the rest of the match successfully mounting a rearguard action.

"Their defensive line was up real quick and they really slowed down our ruck ball and all credit to them, it won them the game," Crusaders lock Chris Jack said.

"We didn't perform that well but we were beaten by a better side on the day."