Otago Daily Times Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire looks at some key points from the Highlanders' 15-9 win over the Brumbies in their Super Rugby quarterfinal in Canberra.
Finding a way to win
Things were looking dire in the last 10 minutes, but the Highlanders did what they so often do and found a way to win. They showed extraordinary heart in absorbing everything the Brumbies threw at them. Their scrum was under pressure the whole game, but when it counted, they held, just. They were forced to make tackle after tackle, but they did not yield. The way that defence has held all year has been this team's trademark. This was its biggest test and the way it came through showed how rock solid it is. Being fit and organised is important, but those things mean nothing without heart and determination. And that's what it came down to. The Highlanders simply refused to lose and put in a superhuman effort to close out the game.
Tough conditions influenced play
The wet and windy conditions made playing tough and both teams adapted their games' accordingly. It was messy and tight, which no doubt played into the hands of the Brumbies. They offered little, primarily relying on one-off runners and pick and go with ball in hand. The Highlanders used those tactics a fair bit too, although were prepared to take a few more chances and go wider.
In general though, the Highlanders kept things much narrower than normal. The wind forced them to throw to the front of the lineout, which made it hard to get width straight away. That saw them often use the blindside winger to crash in the one-off channel. It took them out of their usual tactic to go wide, then come back the other way, which the Brumbies likely would have struggled with, but it was sensible. Indeed when they did go wide they looked threatening, although the passes didn't always stick. Away from set-piece they looked to build phases in tighter far more than usual and applied pressure through forcing the Brumbies to make tackles. The difference between the two teams though, was that the Highlanders were then able to take their chances out wider, whereas the Brumbies weren't.
Contesting the lineout
The Highlanders were exceptional in contesting the lineout and that was huge in the end. It negated the Brumbies' lineout drive, which has been their go-to weapon all year. While they did get their rolling maul going a few times, the Highlanders limited its damage well. Even with their dominant scrum, it was a surprise to see the Brumbies not kicking to the corner in the late stages. When a maul is done well that close to the line it is virtually unstoppable. The prospect of losing the lineout must surely have been playing on their minds. Earlier it was something that had saved a try, as Elliot Dixon got up and stole the ball after the Brumbies had kicked for the corner. It was a gutsy play and one of the key moments in the game.
Kick receptions
This was perhaps another product of the tough conditions, but the Highlanders did not do a good job of securing kicks. Their kick-off receptions were poor and on several occasions they let the ball bounce after kicks in play. While there are going to be times when balls are dropped, it is important to at least get in position to take the catch.
When the ball bounces it can go anywhere and if the opponent doesn't get it back, it will often lead to the receiving team having to scramble back and being put under pressure. Not only does that negate the option of a counterattack, it makes you prone to giving away a penalty or turning the ball over with your defensive line not set. Not securing the kick-offs is even worse, as mistakes in that area give the opposition the ball back in good field position. The Highlanders, who are normally take these well, failed to secure two of their four kick-offs, one of which led to three points and the other to a shot at goal.
Controversies
Perhaps the Brumbies had reason to feel unlucky. The try that was disallowed late in the game was as close as you will get to a try without actually scoring. On another night it might have been awarded. But that is sport. When you play an 80 minute game, can you really pin it on one moment? It was one of only two times, alongside a Tevita Kuridrani break in the first half, that the Brumbies actually looked like scoring. They did little else to threaten. Aside from the scrum, the Highlanders had it over them in every facet of the game. The Brumbies had everything in their favour, right down to the home game, the conditions and the Highlanders extreme travel schedule. Yet they still failed to score a try, while the Highlanders scored two. Call me biased, but surely it is hard to say the Highlanders did not deserve that win.
