You could not fault the Highlanders in terms of effort or endeavour against the Sharks yesterday.
They fired their best shot and went oh so close to winning in what was their first playoff game in 12 years.
The Highlanders ran the ball with some real dash, their counterattack was top notch, and they looked dangerous every time they got on the front foot.
But they were outmuscled up front, and that ultimately was the difference between the two teams.
The Highlanders' scrum was in reverse gear all afternoon and the Sharks made them pay, picking up one try directly off a scrum and another off a rolling maul.
When the Highlanders could get the ball away from the set piece, they were dangerous, and the backs found plenty of space.
With 15 minutes left and the Highlanders up by two points, replacement loose forward Gareth Evans made a scything 40m run and was lowered 5m from the line.
If the ball could have been recycled then the Highlanders might have scored and it could have been out of reach.
Plenty of coulds and maybes but unfortunately it did not happen. Evans was penalised for holding on to the ball and the Sharks cleared. They then swung down on to attack and Francois Steyn kicked a penalty.
With time all but up on the scoreboard, Steyn kicked another penalty and the home side had the win.
It was a brave effort by the Highlanders, especially considering the start they had.
The Sharks had 80% possession in the first quarter of an hour and camped in the Highlanders' half.
Steyn kicked a penalty, before the home side set up a rolling maul and impressive flanker Marcell Coetzee went over.
It looked as if the Sharks were going to run away with it but the Highlanders managed to get back into the game.
Sopoaga kicked a penalty before Aaron Smith and Richard Buckman displayed some clever passing to break out from their own territory.
On the half-hour mark, a nice ball from co-captain Ben Smith put centre Malakai Fekitoa into a gap 50m out. The find of the competition this year put on the afterburners and could not be caught.
Right on halftime, the Highlanders scored one of the tries of the season. Smith tapped a penalty kick in sight of his own line and made a break.
He then won the ball back in a resulting maul. The Highlanders moved the ball one side to the next, before finding lock Jarrad Hoeata on the sideline. He passed inside to supporting prop Kane Hames to score his first try at this level.
Turning four points ahead, Lima Sopoaga added a penalty but the Sharks came back when the Highlanders' scrum went backwards on their own line and Sharks hooker Bismarck du Plessis scored.
Five minutes later, Sharks replacement winger Tonderai Chavhanga ran 40m down the line to score.
The Highlanders did not panic, and a strong run from winger Patrick Osborne finished with a nice pop pass from the winger for Phil Burleigh to score and put the Highlanders back in front.
But they could not withstand the Sharks near the end.
Best for the Highlanders were the back three and Sopoaga, who showed how far he has progressed this year, while Nasi Manu never gave in and played at the high standard he has set all season.
Super rugby playoffs
The scores
Sharks V Highlanders
Sharks 31
Marcell Coetzee, Bismarck du Plessis, Tonderai Chavhanga tries; Francois Steyn 2 con, 4 pen
Highlanders 27
Malakai Fekitoa, Kane Hames, Phil Burleigh tries; Lima Sopoaga 3 con, 2 pen
Halftime: Highlanders 17-13.
Brumbies V Chiefs
Brumbies 32
Nic White, Robbie Coleman, Jesse Mogg, Jarrad Butler tries; Christian Leali'ifano 3 con, 2 pen
Chiefs 30
Bundee Aki, Tawera Kawera-Barlow, Tim Nanai-Williams, Gareth Anscombe tries; Aaron Cruden 2 pen, 2 con
Halftime: Brumbies 22-10.
