It was the same old story from the Highlanders last night. Brilliant one minute, terrible the next.
A great first 40 minutes was followed by a forgettable second period as the Highlanders lost in the last minute to the Rebels 38-37.
It had to happen, really. The Highlanders have found every way to lose this year, but this was a new one.
Totally dominate one half and then collapse like an Australian top order in the second half.
It had all looked so good in the opening half. The Highlanders ran hard and straight, their set piece was totally dominant and they were breaking tackles seemingly at will.
Up 31-7 at halftime, the Highlanders went back to their usual stuff in the second period - sloppy errors, brain explosions and basic skills going straight out the window.
Plus they just had no ball.
Not once did they get near the Rebels tryline in the final 30 minutes of the game.
The Rebels had an absolute mortgage of ball in the second half and grew as the game went on, buoyed by replacements and getting on the front foot.
They scored a fifth try out wide with five minutes left, but the conversion missed and then Hayden Parker scored a penalty for the Highlanders.
But the Rebels came back and first five-eighth Bryce Hegarty scored with the final movement of the match.
In the first half there was only one side in it and it was the visiting team.
They looked an impressive rugby machine - finding space seemingly at will, driving over the advantage line with ease, and passing the ball with smooth efficiency.
The Highlanders were much too quick and talented for a Rebels side which never got out of first gear and struggled to find any continuity in its game.
The Highlanders had their bonus point by halftime, and got there through some quality finishing by the backs and tough, hard driving by a commited forward pack.
Halfback Aaron Smith just concentrated on finding his men outside him and that worked successfully as the backs ran hard and straight,Outside Smith, Colin Slade was having one of his on nights and he ran at the line hard and used the threats outside him.
Flanker Elliot Dixon was unwell yesterday and did not front for the game.
His unavailability led to a reshuffle in the loose forwards, with Jake Paringatai coming into the side on the blindside flank, TJ Ioane moving to No 8, and Mose Tuiali'i going to openside flanker.
The Highlanders had only six reserves.
The match got off to a flying start with two tries inside the first 10 minutes.
Ben Smith scored the first, slicing through the defence from 10m out.
The Highlanders had hung on to the ball well for multiple phases and lock Josh Bekhuis went close before being held up.
But the Highlanders recycled the ball and Smith made the most of the chance out wide.
Slade knocked over the conversion but the seven-point lead was short-lived.
Within a couple of minutes the home side had gone over.
Big lock Cadeyrn Neville made some big metres and then former Wellington winger Jason Woodward shrugged off a couple of tackles to release Tom English, who weaved his way over to score.
Woodward's conversion tied the score up, and it looked like a high scoring encounter was in the offering.
- The Chiefs have claimed the New Zealand conference title thanks to the Crusaders' unimpressive 25-17 victory over the Hurricanes in Christchurch last night. The Crusaders needed a bonus point win to retain a chance of overhauling the champions, who play the Blues tonight in the final Super 15 round. But the Crusaders were lucky to even win the match, let alone launch a bid for four tries, only nailing the victory with a 79th minute try.
The result protects the Crusaders' home advantage in the qualifying playoffs, but coach Todd Blackadder will need to stir his troops into action following a lame effort in front of their home crowd.
Crusaders 25 (Zac Guildford, Andy Ellis, Tom Marshall tries; Dan Carter 2 con, 2 pen), Hurricanes 17 (Victor Vito, Brad Shields, Julian Savea tries; Andre Taylor con). Halftime 13-5.
Super 15: The scores
Rebels ... 38
Cooper Vuna 2, Tom English 2, Bryce Hegarty 2 tries; Jason Woodward 4 con
Highlanders ... 37
Ben Smith, Hosea Gear, Tamati Ellison, Tony Woodcock tries; Colin Slade 4 con, 2 pen; Hayden Parker pen
Halftime: 31-7 Highlanders
- Additional reporting The New Zealand Herald
