Rugby: Lions upset Highlanders

Doppies La Grange of the Lions is tackled. Photo / Getty Images

Lions 26
Highlanders 22

The Lions clinched their maiden victory in the deep south with a 26-22 win over the Highlanders at Carisbrook in Dunedin.

Looking to force their way into playoffs contention, the Highlanders sitting at 43 points in the New Zealand conference were 24 points above their less-fancied rivals.

However it was the Lions that took the four points with a determined and pre effort to claim their first win at Carisbrook.

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Captain Doppies La Grange was particularly jubilant with his side's victory, claiming he couldn't recall his side's last triumph in the land of the long white cloud.

"I've played for the Lions a long time and I can't remember ever winning in New Zealand," he said.

"The guys played with a lot of heart, worked hard and it paid off."

The Highlanders had the first points on the board in the second minute with a penalty for a Lions indiscretion at the breakdown - that penalty was the first of ten in the firsthalf alone.

After a bye week off to unwind and relax, the Highlanders started slowly and the Lions forwards were all over their opponents at the ruck area as the their counter rucking caused plenty of problems.

Lions first-five Elton Jantjies hit two penalties to claim the lead at 6-3 as the visitors grabbed the momentum back and forced their way into genuine scoring positions.

Despite the visitors forcing their way deep into Highlanders territory, they couldn't convert it into tries and it was the men in blue and yellow that scored the opening try through second-five Shaun Treeby.

Treeby had been out of action for the past five weeks to injury, and made a happy return with a determined run before slamming the ball over the tryline in the tackle of flanker Derick Minnie. First-five Lima Sopoaga converted.

The try looked to have sparked the Highlanders play as they looked to counter attack and throw the ball around from in their own half to grab their second try .

Yet in spite of both sides going close to getting over the tryline, it was their first-fives Sopoaga and Janjties who decided their fate, kicking three penalties to one for a halfitme score of 16-10 to the Highlanders.

After a sombre opening half the Lions scored the first try of the second half to number eight Joshua Strauss and the ensuing kick levelled the score 16-16.

Strauss was quickest to react to the referee's long arm penalty and tapped the ball before shrugging off two tackles to dive over in the 48th minute.

Janjties went on to give his side the lead for the first time in the match with a penalty seven minutes later at 19-16.

The Lions looked to have the wind in the sails at this point as the Highlanders stuttered to get going with handling errors keeping the home side under wraps.

Their best attacking play in the match came in the 60th minute with Ben Smith breaking upfield to run 55 metres before being hauled down with the tryline three metres ahead.

As players arrived to support Smith at the ruck Highlanders winger Siale Piutau and flanker Michael Rhodes emerged trading punches in an all-out scrap.

Replays showed Piutau was tipped over in a headlock from Rhodes and hit back with several punches - the incident could see both players on the sidelines in the coming weeks.

Fortunately for the Highlanders, Sopoaga kept a cool head in front of the posts as he nailed two penalties to grab the lead back at 22-19 with 13 minutes remaining.

The homeside looked to have held out the Lions forcing two handling errors in their 22 with seven minutes remaining, however the vistors' persistence would pay off right at the death.

Hot on attack and forcing the Highlanders to scramble on their tryline, the Lions went wide to lock Wikus van Heerden who stepped in his marker to score through a pair of Highalnders.

Jantjies converted from the sideline to cap an excellent night with the boot, kicking four penalties and two conversions.

Lions 26 (Josh Strauss, Wikus van Heerden tries; Elton Jantjies 4 pen, 2 con) Highlanders 22 (Shaun Treeby try; Lima Sopoaga 5 pen, con). Halftime: 9-16.

- Herald online