Rugby: Highlanders win third straight

In a real old arm wrestle, the Highlanders just pipped the Waratahs18-17 at the Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight. The match was a real old dog fight, with little flow and decisive attacking breaks, although the home side had the majority of the possession and the territory. But the Highlanders never looked convincing and made too many errors at crucial times. Quality teams though win games when they do not play well and that was what the Highlanders did. They looked tired at times, as did the Waratahs, and coughed up too much ball around the ruck, but did enough, just, to win. The win leaves them with three wins from as many games, leading the New Zealand conference. The best for the home side was skipper and captain Jamie Mackintosh, in his 50th game, flanker John Hardie while Tamati Ellison was reliable as ever. Best for the Waratahs were backs Adam Ashley-Cooper and Sarel Pretorious while lock Dean Mumm was impressive. The second half started with a bang for the visitors as big flanker Pat McCutcheon charged down a Colin Slade kick and raced in to score. That finally woke the Highlanders up and they swept on to attack and flanker John Hardie scored out wide as the Waratahs defence failed to spread. Colin Slade kicked the sideline conversion putting the home side in front. Referee Bryce Lawrence was the dominant individual of the first half, contributing heavily to a stop-start opening 40 minutes. He blew more than a dozen penalties in the first half and neither side could make a break through tough defences. Aaron Smith scored the only try of the half, when he took a quick penalty tap and then backed up first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga to go over by the posts. Sopoaga missed the easy conversion and left the field a short time later with a shoulder injury. The Waratahs offered little in attack but went to the break ahead thanks to three Daniel Halangahu penalties.