Highlanders beat Stormers 39-21

The Highlanders have run in five tries to three in beating the Stormers 39-21 in a Super Rugby match in Dunedin.

Fijian flyers Waisake Naholo and Patrick Osborne both got in on the act as the Highlanders beat the Stormers 39-21 to record their biggest win of the Super Rugby season.

Naholo grabbed two tries in six minutes just before half-time to blow open a contest that the Stormers had dominated in the opening quarter in Dunedin on Saturday night.

Osborne touched down early in second half to secure the bonus point for the home side.

It was the first time this year that a Highlanders match had been decided by more than seven points.

The result also ended their six-match losing streak to the Stormers and put them ahead of the South African conference leaders on points.

The Stormers, for whom Springbok Schalk Burger was making his 100th appearance, had a dominant scrum.

They also had plenty of early territory and they deservedly opened the scoring on 18 minutes with a well-structured attack finished by stand-in skipper Juan de Jongh.

From there the game opened up, which suited the Highlanders.

They got on the board through halfback Aaron Smith who, with defenders blocked by a goal-post, cleverly planted the ball against the base of the pad.

Five-eighth Lima Sopoaga added the extras and then a penalty before Naholo produced his double strike.

His first came from an intercept from centre de Jongh's pass, his second after he barrelled through fullback Cheslin Kolbe on the way to the line.

Osborne's try helped to carry the Highlanders out to a 31-7 lead, but they then lost Smith to a yellow card for a professional foul.

Up a man, the Stormers gave themselves hope when replacement loose forward Michael Rhodes went over a converted try.

But Highlanders No.8 Dan Pryor, who had come as replacement for the concussed Nasi Manu, extended the home side's lead with a try.

De Jongh, captain for the night in place of Duane Vermeulen, who sat out the match under the agreement with the South African union to rest Springboks during the competition, completed his brace just before the end.


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Source: AAP


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