Mighty defence stops Cats dead

The Highlanders finally moved into top-four contention on the back of a remarkable defence that drew admiration even from their opponents.

Cats' captain Wickus van Heerden, despite their winless trip to Australia and New Zealand, said the statistics would show the Highlanders pulled off a record number of tackles, particularly in the second half.

The Highlanders' defence was under intense pressure for long periods and at least 15 times they brought off tackles on their line.

The Cats lacked the finishing touch, and when they did discover it they scored two tries through blindside flanker Gerhard Vosloo and first five-eighth Earl Rose in the last four minutes to earn a bonus point.

The Highlanders scored 13 of their 16 points in the first quarter, then held on until Ben Blair kicked his third penalty goal two minutes from halftime for their 16 points.

Their only try came in the 15th minute when big winger Roy Kinikinilau waded through the defence before stretching out to plant the ball after he tripped and skidded short of the line.

The second half was completely dominated by the Cats, who preferred lineouts from close-in penalties and tried to drive, only to be held up by a desperate Highlanders' defence.

The forwards finally succeeded in rumbling over from a lineout following a penalty, then Rose zipped over from similar play. He converted both.

"You've got to admire a team who tackled themselves to a standstill. They were pretty courageous under a hell of a lot of pressure," van Heeden said.

The Highlanders made about 140 tackles and rucked and mauled 76 times to the Cats' 123.

What hurt the Cats the most was the way they lost possession 33 times to the Highlanders' 19.

They would go between five and 12 phases, then turn over the ball, which underscored the Highlanders' stern defence at Invercargill's Rugby Park.

"If they had held on to the ball we would have been in all sorts of strife," captain Anton Oliver said.

"Our defence was brilliant and I was elated with the guys. The Cats didn't show a lot of deception and we kind of knew where they were going to go."

- NZPA