The Highlanders wrapped a decent week at the Super Rugby under-20 tournament with an entertaining 54-36 win over the New Zealand Barbarians in Taupo on Saturday afternoon.
It followed their 48-45 loss to the Blues and 40-12 win over Moana Pasifika, and meant they finished fifth.
That made it 139 points scored in three games — are you not entertained?
The Baby Landers showed a pleasing willingness in all three games to chance their arm and use the ball wherever possible.
As expected, the key to that was their captain and most influential player.
New Zealand under-20 star Dylan Pledger might already be the best halfback in the Highlanders region, and his play over the week in Taupo — from his slick passing to his dynamic running — was essentially faultless.
His combination with talented first five Mika Muliaina suggests greater things to come.
Wingers Josh Augustine and Kyan Rangitutia, midfielder Tayne Harvey, fullback Wiremu Brailey, lock Josh Tengblad and hooker Shaun Kempton are the others to potentially lock in for the big show within the next couple of years.
Pledger scored the opening try after just 70 seconds and set up the second for Brailey, who in turn made the gliding run that led to Rangitutia making it 21-0 to the Baby Landers after just 18 minutes.
They briefly went off the boil, allowing the Barbarians to score twice, but Rangitutia got his second and Augustine swooped to score a 50m intercept try right on the buzzer.
Fullback Sam Nemec-Vial, one of three Otago players in the Baabaas, scored straight after the break, but a try to Highlanders loose forward Matt Brock and a second for Pledger made it 49-19.
The rest of the game really belonged to the Baabaas and replacement No8 Marshall Blakely, who spent far too much time trying to wind up his opponents but scored two tries thanks to a dominant scrum.
The Baby Landers’ advantage was cut to 49-36 with 10 minutes to play, so there were some nervous moments until a late Sam Mustchin intercept led to Augustine completing his double.
The Crusaders beat the Chiefs 41-36 in the under-20 final. The Blues beat the Hurricanes 43-38 in the third-fourth playoff, and Moana Pasifika beat the Fijian Drua 55-29 for seventh place.
Super Rugby U20
The scores
Highlanders 54
Kyan Rangitutia 2, Josh Augustine 2, Dylan Pledger 2, Wiremu Brailey, Matt Brock tries; Mika Muliaina 6 con, Wyndham Patuawa con
Barbarians 36
Marshall Blakely 2, Jai Knight, Trent Ririnui, Sam Nemec-Vial, Kami Ratuibau tries; Wananga Matenga 2 con, Mason Verster con
Halftime: Highlanders 35-12.
