Match Details

Highlanders (NZ)

VS

Reds

33

Dunedin Kick off times: 7:35pm (Local) Fri 9 Mar 5:35pm (AEDT) Fri 9 Mar

17

The Highlanders scored their second consecutive bonus-point win at Carisbrook on Friday night when they played controlled rugby to down a brave Queensland Reds outfit 33-17.

It was the Highlanders' third win in six games and lifted them, temporarily at least, into the top four of the Super 14.

But it was another sorry night for the Reds - they showed some exciting spark in attack at times but, in the end, fell to their fifth consecutive loss and  remain firmly rooted to the bottom of the table.

The Highlanders were solid for most of the game, were always ahead, scored four tries to two and were much more organised than the youthful Reds outfit.

James Ryan was a giant in the pack, hooker Jason Macdonald continues to grow in stature while Nick Evans, in his second game back from injury, played with increasing confidence.

New midfielder Aaron Bancroft made a promising debut and Viliama Waqaseduadua searched avidly for work from the left wing.

For the Reds, teenage flyhalf Quade Cooper showed he has the skills to be a player of the future, while inside centre Berrick Barnes was in everything before he left the field midway through the second half with a shoulder injury. Andrew Walker also showed he is still a dangerous attacking player.

Bancroft scored with his first touch of the ball, in the third minute, after a sweetly-timed planned move from a set scrum. Blindside winger Waqaseduadua came in outside Evans to confuse the Reds defence and Bancroft had a clear run to the post. Evans converted to make it 7-0.

The Reds launched their first major attack after 17 minutes but Berrick Barnes struck the right upright with a penalty attempt from 22 metres. However, when Matt Saunders infringed at a ruck three minutes later, Barnes made no mistake.

The advantage, however, was short lived, Evans goaling from 27 metres and in front when hooker Sean Hardman was penalised at a ruck.

The Highlanders extended their lead to 15-3 after 30  minutes from a counter-attack. Evans speculated ahead, the Highlanders forced the turnover, No 8 Ezra Taylor made valuable ground and captain Josh Blackie popped up the last past to right wing Lucky Mulipola, who scored by the posts.

But the Reds struck back almost immediately, fullback Walker opening up a gap through which Barnes stepped for a try midway out. He converted his own try to make it 15-10.

The Highlanders turned down a penalty attempt just before halftime, drove from the lineout and Bancroft dropped a neat goal to increase the Highlanders’ lead to 18-10.

The Highlanders made too changes at the break with captain Blackie, who complained of a neck injury, replaced by Alando Soakai in the loose trio and Mulipola replaced by James Wilson.

But it was the Reds who made the first strike. They turned down a penalty attempt and, from the ensuing lineout drive, captain and No 8 John Roe crashed over for the try. Barnes converted to reduce the deficit to one point.

The Highlanders soon made their way back into Reds territory and Evans kicked his second penalty to make it 21-17.

Reds' flanker David Croft was sin-binned for a professional foul as the Highlanders laid siege to their line, but the home team lost possession from the ensuing lineout to squander the advantage.

Locks Ryan and Hoani MacDonald smashed through the Reds' defence in a promising attack but the Queenslanders somehow managed to scramble to safety.

But a minute later the Highlanders did score when, from a set scrum, Waqaseduadua made the initial incision and fullback Glen Horton was adjudged to have fairly grounded the ball, just inside touch, in the tackle. Evans missed the conversion but the Highlanders led 26-17.

The Reds' cause was not helped when, 15 minutes from the end, Barnes left the field in pain with a shoulder injury. He was replaced by Lloyd Johansson.

Evans, Soakai and prop Chris King combined brilliantly down the grandstand touch but the past went astray just when it seemed the Highlanders would score.

But the bonus-point try came with seven minutes remaining when the Highlanders worked the blind from an attacking lineout, hooker Macdonald took the last pass, from replacement halfback Toby Morland, and crashed over in a tackle. Evans converted from the sideline to make it 33-17.

Highlanders 33

Tries: Aaron Bancroft, Lucky Muliopa, Glen Horton, Jason Macdonald.

Conversions: Evans 2

Penalty Goals: Evans 2

Dropped Goals: Bancroft 1.

Reds 17

Tries: Berrick Barnes, John Roe.

Conversion: Barnes 2.

Penalty Goals: Barnes.

Halftime: 18-10.