The Highlanders disposed of the Reds 40-17 at Forsyth Barr Stadium last night, giving it a full set of victories against Australian teams this season. The Highlanders scored 208 points in their five wins over the Australian teams, conceding only 76 points in reply.
If last night’s display was any example, the gulf in ability is as wide as the Tasman Sea and it is hard to see it closing any time soon.
The home team was too classy and fast for the Reds who gave their all on attack but lacked finesse and creation when they had the ball. Their defence was too slow and did not put enough pressure on a Highlanders backline willing to give the ball some air.
The Highlanders attack was firing all night. First five-eighth Lima Sopoaga made a welcome return to form after a lengthy spell out with injury.
He threw some delightful passes and looked to find space out wide, of which there was plenty.
Backing him up was livewire winger Waisake Naholo, who was his usual electric self.
If he is heading north next season he will be greatly missed, for there are not many players who can create so much from very little.
Up front, the Highlanders set piece was sound and they won a pushover penalty try in the second half through the power of their scrum.
Lock Jackson Hemopo continues to enjoy a late-season blossoming while No8 and skipper Luke Whitelock keeps improving and must be knocking on the door for an All Black recall.
The Highlanders had two tries on the board within the first 10 minutes.
Naholo was the first to go over, following a devastating burst down the left by the returning Liam Squire. The ball was moved to the right and Naholo went over within a blade of grass from the corner flag.
Just over five minutes later, flanker James Lentjes collected the ball 20m out and proceeded to steamroll over two Queensland defenders to score. Sopoaga knocked over his second difficult conversion and the Highlanders were off racing.
The Reds tried to get some points on the board but just were not accurate enough. The passes were behind rather than in front and they made little gain on the advantage line.
The visiting side blew a try on the half hour mark when it somehow blew a two-man overlap with the tryline beckoning.
On the other hand, the Highlanders were not as wasteful.
The home side broke out of its own half with a powerful burst down the flank which ended in Tevita Li being lowered just short.
From the resulting 5m scrum, halfback Kayne Hammington simply picked up the ball at the back of the scrum and pushed through a gap to score.
The Reds though finally got on the board just before halftime with a drive at the line resulting in a try to lock Izack Rodda.
Super Rugby
The scores
Highlanders 40
Waisake Naholo, James Lentjes, Kayne Hammington, Tevita Li, Ash Dixon tries; penalty try; Lima Sopoaga 4 con
Reds 17
Izack Rodda, Alex Mafi, Caleb Timu tries; Quade Cooper con
Halftime: 21-5Crowd: 18,250