Rugby: Highlanders hold on for gritty win

George Naoupu of the Highlanders is tackled by Peter Hynes of the Reds. Photo / Getty Images

SUPER 14
Highlanders 24
Reds 19

It wasn't pretty, it wasn't convincing and it was never comfortable but the Highlanders' show continued last night with a win against the Reds.

The flow and swagger produced against the Bulls wasn't there. The polish was wiped clean and the Highlanders were rough, scrappy, excitable even.

They won't have been happy with the quality of the performance. It was too loose, too error-ridden. They will be delighted with the result though, and just as pleased with the application and commitment.

The big worry was that the Highlanders might forget what had got them so far in the first place and fail to muck in at the contact zone. There was no danger of that.

This is a side that loves to be in the thick of it. Adam Thomson lives for the thrill of the steal and despite taking a heavy blow to his knee late in the first half, turned in another big night that will have the All Black selectors wondering if they are going to be able to leave him out of their preferred starting XV.

Thomson, as he has been for most of the season, was superbly supported by George Naoupu and Alando Soakai and the contest for the ball was willing as the Reds openside, was of course, Daniel Braid.

Braid was a nuisance on the ground and forced the Highlanders to commit to the breakdown in numbers to ensure ball retention.

The Reds forced the Highlanders to get into game mode quicker than the home side had perhaps intended. In what will presumably be close to a record, the Reds scored the opening try after 24 seconds.

Peter Hynes collected the switch kick-off and when the ball came right Berrick Barnes attacked the outside and kept running. The Highlanders were opened up and the inside pass to Mark McLinden was followed by an even better ball by the fullback who flung one out the back of his hand to Quade Cooper who was over.

It was a warning to the home side that the Reds had come to play and any complacency would be punished.

Whether the Highlanders actually needed a reminder of what was coming is hard to tell. They shrugged off the opening try and got straight into their business proper.

A controlled series of pick and drives led to Josh Bekhuis scoring his first Super Rugby try and the Highlanders were slowly taking control of the game.

Then they slipped in concentration and allowed the impressive Hugh McMeniman to twist and burrow his way through five bodies to give the visitors a 12-10 halftime lead.

It never really felt like the Reds were going to push on from where they were and it was only a matter of time before the Highlanders converted their superiority in terms of possession and territory into points.

That breakthrough came when Daniel Bowden took Jimmy Cowan's pass straight off the lineout and danced his way through the first line of defence.

The Highlanders were fortunate some interference on Braid wasn't picked up but there was nothing lucky about the way they finished.

Bowden slipped a short pass to the supporting Jason Shoemark who then threw an even better one-handed hurl to the fast-running Kendrick Lynn. A few minutes later and Naoupu stormed over and the Highlanders were just about safe.

They were puffing a bit after their week off and with 12 minutes left they were looking to slow things down; to close the game out with the gas they had in the tank.

That plan was foiled when Digby Ioane was allowed to score in the corner after some skilled build-up and for seven minutes the Highlanders were on red alert.

The Reds kept coming, saw that there was a chance for an unexpected win and went for it. But the defensive line stayed firm.

The commitment that has taken the Highlanders further than anyone but themselves believed was evident - tackles were firm, no one disappeared and the urgency never dropped.

It was a little nervy having the Reds just five points behind but it wasn't finger-chewing stuff. The Reds didn't have the goods for that and this Highlanders side has character and desire and against all the odds, they remain in the playoff mix.

Highlanders 24 (J. Bekhuis, K. Lynn, G. Naoupu tries; M. Berquist pen, 3 cons).

Reds 19 (Q. Cooper, H. McMeniman, D. Ioane tries; Q. Cooper 2 cons).