Highlanders v Brumbies: Five takeaways as Wallabies rookie shines in milestone match while All Blacks duo also impress
Brumbies scrum-half Ryan Lonergan and Highlanders front-row Ethan de Groot (inset).
Following the Brumbies’ narrow 14-10 win over the Highlanders in their Super Rugby Pacific clash at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Friday, Planet Rugby picks out five takeaways from the action.
The top line
From the outset, this match was a real grind, and we had to wait until the 23rd minute for the opening points when Cam Millar slotted a penalty to give the Highlanders the lead.
The rest of the half was a similar story as there were few points-scoring opportunities for both sides before the Brumbies took the lead courtesy of a converted try from Ryan Lonergan which gave the visitors a narrow 7-3 lead at the interval.
It followed suit in the second period as both teams battled to add to their points tally but the Highlanders eventually regained the lead when Jona Nareki went over for their only try with Millar adding the extras off the kicking tee.
However, momentum swung back in the Brumbies’ favour in the 70th minute when Henry Bell was yellow carded for an illegal tackle on Nick Frost.
The men from Canberra made full use of their numerical advantage as they were soon camped inside the Highlanders’ 22 and in the 74th minute Luke Reimer barged over from close quarters for a converted try.
Although the closing stages were tense, with the hosts giving their all in a bid to regain the lead, the Brumbies’ defence stood firm as they held on for the win which is their sixth successive one against the Highlanders.
Ryan Lonergan shines in milestone match
This was a momentous match for the Brumbies skipper as he was making his 100th appearance for the Canberra-based outfit and although there were few attacking opportunities, he delivered a solid all-round performance which fit the occasion.
The rookie Wallabies scrum-half varied his play well as he asked questions of the Highlanders’ defence with some sniping breaks around the fringes while also delivering a crisp service to his outside backs and he impressed with his kicking out of hand and at goal.
His attacking instincts were rewarded in the 35th minute when he caught the home side’s defence napping when he barged over from close quarters after Rob Valetini was stopped just short of the try-line in the build-up.
The 28-year-old also slotted a couple of conversions which meant he finished with a nine-point haul while he also did his bit on defence with six tackle completions and impressed with calm leadership, especially in the game’s closing stages when the Brumbies were under pressure in their own half with the Highlanders on the attack.
Ethan de Groot catches the eye
With Crusaders loosehead prop Tamaiti Williams ruled out for the rest of the Super Rugby Pacific campaign with a serious spinal injury, Ethan de Groot has the inside lane to the All Blacks’ number one jersey and he showed his class in this match with a fine all-round display.
Experienced Wallabies tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa made his return from a back injury for the Brumbies but he endured a torrid time in the scrums against his All Blacks counterpart.
De Groot caught the eye with great physicality and excellent technique at the set-piece which won his team some penalties and it was not a surprise when Alaalatoa was replaced by Darcy Breen at half-time.
That did not deter De Groot as he continued to hold the upper hand in the scrums while he also impressed with his general play, especially at the breakdowns where he made his presence felt before he was replaced by Josh Bartlett in the 68th minute.
With Williams a serious doubt for New Zealand’s upcoming Test campaign, new All Blacks boss Dave Rennie will be delighted with De Groot’s overall performance.
Valetini shows his class
As the scoreline suggests, this result could have gone either way and one of the Brumbies’ star performers was experienced back-rower Valetini, who showed his class on both sides of the ball.
The 27-year-old was in the thick of the action from the kick off and took the fight to the Highlanders with several powerful carries for the full 80 minutes.
Valetini eventually gained 22 metres from 15 carries which included two clean breaks while he also made his presence felt on defence where he had a high work-rate throughout.
It was therefore not a surprise that he finished with a team-high 15 tackles made, several of which were big hits which halted the Highlanders’ attacking momentum, while he also competed ferociously at the breakdown battle.
Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.
Timoci Tavatavanawai sends timely reminder to Rennie
Although the Highlanders finished on the losing side, one player who can hold is head high is their co-captain and star inside centre Tavatavanawai, who led their charge on attack and defence for the entire game.
The 28-year-old proved a handful with ball in hand and despite not crossing the whitewash, he kept the Brumbies’ defenders busy with some barnstorming runs.
In the end, the Fijian-born midfielder finished with 50 metres gained which included nine carries, seven defenders beaten and an offload. He also impressed on defence with his biggest impact made at the breakdowns where he won a crucial turnover.
While counterparts like Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea have been mentioned as the favourites to line up in the All Blacks’ midfield when they kick off their Nations Championship campaign, Tavatavanawai showed Rennie that he is more than capable of holding his own in the Test arena.