Brumbies edge Highlanders 14-10 in Dunedin

Highlanders 10-14 Brumbies, Forsyth Barr Stadium

The ACT Brumbies returned to winning ways with a gritty 14-10 victory over the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium, producing a strong defensive performance and a late try to secure an important Super Rugby Pacific away win.

Coming off a disappointing run of results, the Brumbies needed a response and they found one in difficult circumstances.

The visitors had to deal with the early loss of Charlie Cale and a match that never fully opened up into an attacking spectacle, but they stayed in the fight and found the key moments when it mattered most.

Brumbies Lose Cale But Stay In Contest

The Brumbies were disrupted early when Cale was taken off in the first half, with Toby MacPherson introduced in his place. Despite that setback, the visitors stayed composed in a tough opening period where both sides struggled for fluency.

The Highlanders had periods of pressure and were able to get points on the board through the boot of Cam Millar, but the Brumbies gradually settled and found a breakthrough late in the first half.

Captain Ryan Lonergan reacted quickly at the base of a ruck and forced his way over in the 35th minute to score the first try of the match. He then added the conversion to give the Brumbies a 7-3 lead at halftime.

Highlanders Hit Back In Second Half

The home side came out with more urgency after the break and pushed hard to turn territory into points. Their pressure was eventually rewarded in the 63rd minute when Jona Nareki chipped ahead, regathered brilliantly and crossed for a clever individual try.

Millar added the conversion and the Highlanders moved into a 10-7 lead, giving the Dunedin crowd hope that the hosts could close out a valuable home result.

The Brumbies, though, did not panic. Even with their attack misfiring at times and too many turnovers hurting their rhythm, they remained within striking distance and continued to trust their forward game and defensive structure.

Reimer Try Seals Road Win

A key turning point came late in the match when Highlanders hooker Henry Bell was shown a yellow card, giving the Brumbies an opening with the extra man.

They took full advantage in the 74th minute. After building pressure close to the line, Luke Reimer crashed over for the decisive try to swing the result back in favour of the visitors. Lonergan converted again, putting the Brumbies 14-10 ahead.

The Highlanders pushed in the closing stages, but the Brumbies’ defence held firm to deny them any late breakthrough.

Team line up:

Highlanders: 15 Taine Robinson, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 13 Jonah Lowe, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-captain), 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Cameron Millar, 9 Nic Shearer, 8 Nikora Broughton, 7 Veveni Lasaqa, 6 Te Kemaka Howden, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Oliver Haig, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Jack Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot (co-captain)

Reserves: 16 Henry Bell, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Saula Ma’u, 19 Hugh Renton, 20 Sean Withy, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Reesjan Pasitoa, 23 Taniela Tele’a

Brumbies: 15 Andy Muirhead, 14 Ollie Sapsford, 13 Kadin Pritchard, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan (captain), 8 Charlie Cale, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lachlan Shaw, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper

Reserves: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Darcy Breen, 19 Toby MacPherson, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Klayton Thorn, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Hudson Creighton