Highlanders 6 Hurricanes 10
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Summer or winter codes - it was a day of grinding sport yesterday in New Zealand.
After the cricketing torpor in Hamilton there was Super 14 attrition in Dunedin with the Highlanders posting a surfeit of possession and matching the English cricket side in being unable to punish their rivals.
The narrow defeat continued the frustrations for the Highlanders who have yet to win a match this season. Captain Craig Newby said later: "It's gutting. I thought we were the better side on the night and that hurts the most."
The Hurricanes were back to their frustrating worst after they had threatened last week against the Chiefs, to emerge from the lethargic muddling which blighted their season's start.
The locals were earnest, full of robust endeavour, packed with the roll-your-sleeves-up mentality to grapple with the frothy invaders from the capital. When those Hurricanes converted an early turnover into a beautiful 60m interplay move for Jerry Collins to make the touchdown, it appeared it would be a very difficult evening for the Highlanders.
But with a craggy set of forwards retaining possession and fiesty halfback Jimmy Cowan kicking cleverly in behind the Hurricanes, the locals were able to build some pressure. Their problem though was that their attack was very narrow; they lacked the backline fizz, depth and moves to outmanouevre the Hurricanes out wide so had to resort to channels closer to the pack.
Newby, returning from injury, hooker Jason Macdonald, replacement lock Hoani MacDonald, Steven Setephano and colossal prop Jamie McIntosh banged away, dragging their mates forward and draining some of the energy levels from the Hurricanes. It was not pretty but it allowed the Highlanders to stay in the game and at least challenge for the victory which had eluded them this season.
Wing Paul Williams was held up over the line from a 5m scrum and then had the ball ripped away from him by Piri Weepu and near halftime startled flanker Tim Boys shelled a lineout overthrow from Hurricanes hooker Andrew Hore with the line at his mercy.
Around two penalty successes, Highlanders fullback James Wilson missed another couple in what were rare chances for the Highlanders to add some points. He was sacked but his replacement Daniel Bowden made a complete hash of his first attempt.
It was symptomatic of much of the sloppy, careless play which infested the game. The intentions of both sides could not be questioned but the ragged quality of the rugby, the high handling error rate and poor decision-making did not match standards needed at this elite level of rugby.
The inelegance continued when Ma'a Nonu was sent to the sinbin for clouting prop Clint Newland with a swinging arm but even with an extra man, the Highlanders could not score. They bungled kicks for territory, botched setpieces and conceded turnovers. It was not surprising.
The Hurricanes defence was top drawer, the one shining area of their game with hooker Andrew Hore one of their most influential contributors.
Hurricanes: 10 ( J Collins, tries; J Gopperth con, pen
Highlanders: 6 (J Wilson 2 pen) HT: 10-6
