Match Centre: Super Rugby Pacific: Highlanders 21-27 Brumbies

Highlanders 21-27 Brumbies, Forsyth Barr Stadium

Brumbies managed to hold off Highlanders as they sealed a 27-21 win in the latest round of the Super Rugby Pacific at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday.

This is third win for Brumbies in four games as they moved to the third place in the table while Highlanders are at fifth position.

Sam Gilbert missed an early penalty goal but made amends with a three-pointer in the 4th minute after Brumbies infringed at offside to make it 3-0. They extended the lead further as Nikora Broughton scrambled in the defence to dive in the corner for the opening try. Gilbert missed out on the conversion as the lead remained at 8-0.

The response from Brumbies eventually came in the 24th minute as they built through phases with eventually Tom Wright dived his way over the line and Noah Lolesio improved it to reduce the arrears to one point. Gilbert ensured the New Zealand side completed the opening half with a four point lead as he struck a penalty goal in the 32nd minute.

Brumbies were the quickest to get off the block in the second half as Corey Toole exhibited great pace to dot down and Lolesio's conversion and followed with a penalty goal to make it 11-17.

The home side clawed their way back into the game as Folau Fakatava offloaded for Billy Harmon to touchdown in the 59th minute and Gilbert kicked the conversion in front of the posts to make it 18-17 but Lolesio landed a three-pointer in the 68th minute to put his side three point ahead heading into the final 10 minutes.

The decisive moment came in the 77th minute when Lonergan drops over the line for their third try which proved enough despite Gilbert's late penalty as Brumbies completed a six point victory.

Team line up:

Highlanders XV: Ethan de Groot, Jack Taylor, Saula Ma'u, Fabian Holland, Max Hicks, Tom Sanders, Billy Harmon (c), Nikora Broughton, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Martin Bogado, Sam Gilbert, Tanielu Tele'a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Reserves: Henry Bell, Ayden Johnstone, Jermaine Ainsley, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Connor Garden-Bachop

Brumbies XV: Blake Schoupp, Billy Pollard, Sosefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Tom Hooper, Jahrome Brown, Rob Valetini, Ryan Lonergan (c), Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright

Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper, Rhys Van Nek, Darcy Swain, Rory Scott, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford