Highlanders overcome late withdrawal of Shannon Frizell to beat Force 43-35

At Invercargill Rugby Park: Highlanders 43 (Jonah Lowe 2 tries 14min and 70min, Mitch Hunt try 40min, Sam Gilbert try 47min, Sean Withy try 60min, Hugh Renton try 76min; Sam Gilbert 5 con, pen) Western Force 35 (Zach Kibirige try 35min, Tom Horton 43min, Bryce Hegarty try 50min, Siosifa Amone try 80min, Ollie Callan try 82min; Hegarty con, 2 pen, Bayley Kuenzle con). HT: 15-13

Yellow cards: Mitch Hunt (Highlanders) (28min), George Poolman (Force) 57min

The Highlanders produced a final quarter surge to claim their first win of the Super Rugby season, but a growing injury list and a misfiring attack means they have a lot of work to do.

They scored three tries in the last 20 minutes against the Western Force, with Jonah Lowe grabbing his second of the game, while Thomas Umaga-Jensen was the dominant force in the midfield in a strong personal performance.

In a scrappy, error-riddled match dominated by kicking, the Highlanders’ attack again struggled to get going for long periods.

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The southerners looked down on confidence after a tough start to the season and opted to try and build pressure on the visitors with their kicking game.

However, they frequently went too deep, bringing Force fullback Chase Tiatia into the game and the visitors had ample territory and possession.

The Highlanders’ injury woes also continued even before the kickoff, with Shannon Frizell ruled out in the warm-up with a groin injury, while Connor Garden-Bachop was also a scratching from the original 23-man-squad.

The All Blacks flanker’s withdrawal forced a reshuffle in the back row, with Billy Harmon moving to the No 6 jersey, Sean Withy starting and Otago’s Oli Haig taking a spot on the bench.

Youngster Finn Hurley replaced Garden-Bachop on the bench, but with Andrew Makalio and Fabian Holland both forced off in the first half after head knocks, the Highlanders’ injury count now stands at 16 players.

Hurley, Haig and young No 10 Cam Millar all made their Highlanders debuts late in the piece, with the result in the bag.

The Highlanders were particularly exposed up front by the loss of personnel. With all four first-choice locks injured, the 36-year-old injury replacement Josh Bekhuis was forced to go the full 80 minutes.

Yet, that does not fully excuse the paucity of their attack, which too often relied on one-off runners such as No 8 Hugh Renton.

Deteriorating conditions in the Deep South did not help their cause, but the Highlanders will have to find another few gears with ball in hand as they season unfolds.

On the plus side, the Highlanders will be pleased that they turned the screw when it mattered, and their back row began to dominate as the game progressed.

The big moment

Jonah Lowe try after 70 minutes gave the Highlanders some breathing space at 36-25, but the try had its origin in a clever 50-22 from an unlikely source: replacement hooker Rhys Marshall. The experienced forward knew exactly what he was doing as he kicked off his left foot from a botched Force lineout, and the ball promptly rolled perfectly over the touchline inside the 22m.

Match rating

6/10. It was hard going at times, and the high-scoring nature of the game owed to each side’s deficiencies, rather than sparkling attacking play.

MVP

Umaga-Jensen was the clear standout. He smashed hos way through the Force midfield defence to give the Highlanders the front-foot ball they wanted. Wing Martin Bogado was another positive, and No 8 Hugh Renton picked up a deserved try with a late try.

The big picture

The Highlanders host the Drua in Dunedin next Saturday in what looks like a real danger game. The Fijians will be more dangerous with ball in hand than the Force.