Highlanders claim second position with 44-28 win over Waratahs

Highlanders 44-28 Waratahs, Forsyth Barr Stadium
Scorecard

Highlanders ran a six-try riot as they continued their winning streak defeating Waratahs by 44-28 in their Super Rugby clash at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday.

Centre Richard Buckman scored the opening try in the game in the 14th minute while fly-half Marty Banks added a penalty and a conversion on either side to take Highlanders to a 10 point lead.

Waratahs replied back strongly with the Australian pair Israel Folau and Bernard Foley scoring a try and a conversion to reduce the gap down to three points. Even though, Banks kicked his second penalty to increase the lead to six points, Waratahs bounced back through a touchdown from Taqele Naiyaravoro and Foley's conversion meant the visitors had a slender one point lead at half time.

Highlanders capitalised on the sin-bin to Dean Mumm at the start of the second half as Liam Coltman and Tevita Li crossed over and 13 minutes later Rob Thompson added their fourth try to increase the gap to 16 points.

Even though a double try from Jake Gordon in the final quarter raised Waratahs' hope, his effort was negated by tries from replacements Dan Lienert-Brown and Lima Sopoaga as Highlanders completed a 16 point victory to claim the second position in New Zealand Conference.