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KEY POINTS:
Brumbies 33
Highlanders 31
New season, a shock comeback but no bright start for the Highlanders at Carisbrook, more a gloomy feeling about injuries to two of their All Blacks.
After being out of the match since the opening quarter last night, the Highlanders then looked to have delivered an unlikely win before Christian Lealiifino cruelly drop kicked them to defeat.
There was the benefit of two bonus points but the Highlanders squandered a 19 point lead to slide to a loss while they also had to deal with some depressing medical reports about their captain Jimmy Cowan and prop Jamie Mackintosh.
Cowan left early with a serious upper arm injury while Mackintosh limped off with a knee problem in two damaging blows to local optimism about the Highlanders' prospects this season.
The Highlanders started with plenty of pace and panache to reward themselves and thrill their fans by scoring three slashing tries inside the opening quarter.
Their defence had looked a little creaky but as soon as they got the ball, they looked sharp with several slashing midfield breaks and pieces of individual brilliance from Fetu Vainikolo then Daniel Bowden to stun the visitors.
However the scoring shocks came with a downside. The Highlanders lost Cowan and Mackintosh, inside half an hour as injuries bit harshly into their campaign.
The Highlanders also started to concede more possession and territory as the Brumbies ground their way back.
Eventually experienced centre Stirling Mortlock surged over from a set backline cut to claim his 50th competition try before Mark Gerrard converted and later added a penalty.
Mortlock created more damage after the break. The defence looked to claim him but Mortlock's hit and spin manouevre got him to the line and a successful verdict from the TV official.
Soon after Adam Ashley-Cooper scored and with Gerrard's conversion, the Brumbies had suddenly claimed the lead for the first time. That momentum did not stop before the final quarter and the late drama.
Highlanders 31 (J Shoemark, F Vainikolo, D Bowden, C King; J Rutledge, tries: D Bowden 3 conversions)
Brumbies 33 (S Mortlock 2, A Ashley-Cooper, M Gerrard, tries M Gerrard con, 2 pen, C Lealiifano dropped goal) HT: 19-10.
