Highlanders

Highlanders first five Sam Gilbert has been red carded for a dangerous lifting tackle on Wallaby captain Michael Hooper.

— Big Will (@BigWill_Rugby)May 22, 2022 Red all day. — NSW Waratahs (@NSWWaratahs)May 22, 2022

Waratahs lose prop Paddy Ryan to the sinbin after Sam Gilbert's red card for the Highlanders.

The NSW Waratahs will be looking to build some momentum as they face the Highlanders in Dunedin.

Waratahs 12-7 Liam Coombes-Fabling and Marty Banks join the bench. The NSW Waratahs are holding onto a 22-15 lead over the Highlanders in Dunedin.

It is hard to figure out what Sam Gilbert was trying to achieve as he flipped Michael Hooper's legs in the air. The ruck was secured, Aaron Smith was in the ...

But this was a game the Highlanders still could have won. The score was 7-7 at that point. As the TMO review showed Hooper land on his head, having been tipped on a late clean out, the decision was never going to be anything but a red card for the Highlanders first five.

All the action as the Highlanders take on the Waratahs in Super Rugby Pacific.

Once the sides got back to even numbers, the Waratahs took over. Rather than taking the points, they kicked to touch and were unable to convert those positions into points. The Highlanders hold an eight-point lead over the Western Force, however the Force play two games in the final round.

It was a wild game in Dunedin as the Highlanders failed to capitalise on their chance to lock up a playoff spot. The hosts, who were forced into some late ...

Once the sides got back to even numbers, the Waratahs took over. Rather than taking the points, they kicked to touch and were unable to convert those positions into points. The Highlanders hold an eight-point lead over the Western Force, however the Force play two games in the final round.

A moment of madness which earned Highlanders No.10 Sam Gilbert a red card against the Waratahs has cost his side dearly and the effects may resonate all the ...

At 19-15 they won a penalty on the 40m line but kicked for touch and promptly lost the lineout. Their win, their first against the Highlanders in Dunedin in 14 years, shifted them to sixth above the Reds and on a collision course with the Brumbies in Canberra instead. There was a bit on this match for the Waratahs, too, as they began the match in seventh place and undoubtedly eager to avoid a trip to Christchurch to play the Crusaders in their quarter-final.

The men from Dunedin still aren't guaranteed a place in the finals after a comprehensive home defeat that showed a lack of defensive intensity.

The Highlanders then travel to Melbourne to face the Rebels in the last round of the competition, and they may need something from that game to lock up a quarterfinal against the Blues. Mitch Hunt's recovery from his head knock will be closely watched next week. Like elite athletes at their peak, our sports journalists are highly trained in the art of news. So we're asking you to support us with more than your attention. Sam Gilbert's red card in the 28th minute. 7.5/10. A decent contest that showed how much the Waratahs have improved this year. The Highlanders’ hopes for the rest of the season have taken a significant hit after new No 10 Sam Gilbert was sent off in the 32-20 loss to the Waratahs in Dunedin.

Waratahs openside flanker Michael Hooper brushes off a tackle as he powers to score his team's third try, while the Highlanders were down a man at Forsyth ...

But this was a game the Highlanders still could have won. The score was 7-7 at that point. As the TMO review showed Hooper land on his head, having been tipped on a late clean out, the decision was never going to be anything but a red card for the Highlanders first five.

The NSW Waratahs have shown they won't just be making up the numbers in the Super Rugby Pacific finals with a rousing 32-20 away win over the Highlanders.

Playing his first game since his return from Japan, forward Ned Hanigan shrugged off the defence and then off-loaded to Edmed for the Waratahs’ fourth try. Then Hooper showed his pace to dart from the back of a ruck, running 20 metres to score and give his team a commanding 19-7 halftime lead. NSW hit back eight minutes later when No.8 Will Harris showed some deft footwork to plant the ball between the sticks for a 7-7 scoreline.

It is hard to figure out what Sam Gilbert was trying to achieve as he flipped Michael Hooper's legs in the air. The ruck was secured, Aaron Smith was in the ...

The Highlanders made use of that advantage, as Gregory went over in the right-hand corner to make it 19-15. At that point Gilbert’s red card left the Highlanders reeling and the Waratahs capitalised. But this was a game the Highlanders still could have won — the red card and a multitude of handling errors letting them down. And that was effectively the game. The ruck was secured, Aaron Smith was in the process of passing the ball and the Highlanders were looking to build pressure on the Waratahs’ defence. As the TMO review showed Hooper landing on his head, having been tipped on a late clean-out, the decision was never going to be anything but a red card for the Highlanders first five.

With Sam Gilbert facing a ban and Mitch Hunt in doubt, the Highlanders will likely turn to Marty Banks for the game against the Rebels next Sunday.

Like elite athletes at their peak, our sports journalists are highly trained in the art of news. So we're asking you to support us with more than your attention. “It was just really frustrating,” Brown said. Before his red card for a dangerous cleanout on Michael Hooper, Gilbert was again showing the benefit of having a big No 10 in the Highlanders structure with his ability to muscle his way over the gainline. “We definitely need a win [against the Rebels next Sunday]. Our destiny is in our hands, but we need a performance. The Highlanders are in desperate need of some positive news on the sickness and injury front after a “poor” performance against the Waratahs left coach Tony Brown deeply frustrated on Sunday.

Waratahs Head Coach Darren Coleman rotated his squad for the match, leaving Jed Holloway in Sydney and Angus Bell, Charlie Gamble, and Ned Hanigan to start the ...

Waratahs Head Coach Darren Coleman rotated his squad for the match, leaving Jed Holloway in Sydney and Angus Bell, Charlie Gamble, and Ned Hanigan to start the match on the bench. Michael Hooper showed his class and doubled the pain for the home side, catching the Highlanders defence napping at the ruck, scooping up the ball and racing away 30 metres to score and give the Waratahs a 19-7 lead at the break. Unlike last week’s match against the Hurricanes where the Waratahs squandered a 15-0 lead, the Waratahs bench showed plenty of punch, with Gamble’s presence over the ball proving a handful for the Highlander’s attack and Hanigan setting up the match sealing try for Tane Edmed in his first match back for the team.

Going backwards after steadily building a head of steam before their 20-32 loss to the Waratahs in DHL Super Rugby Pacific on Sunday means the Highlanders ...

Compounding the disappointments was the red card to first five-eighths Sam Gilbert are only a quarter of the game. We need a performance," he said. "We gave away soft penalties, a red card, and then couldn't retain the ball," he said.

Here's how the Highlanders rated after their underwhelming Super Rugby Pacific defeat at the hands of the Waratahs in Dunedin on Sunday.

Gave away the odd penalty, made a tackle or two and had a bit of run. Scored a wonderful try down the left edge but also had moments of paper-thin defence. Never really found a way to consistently influence the game as he has done in previous weeks. Had a tough time at set piece and worked hard to get himself into other aspects of the match. Had some dangerous moments in possession but they were few and far between. Scratch this one up to experience and move on young man – you’re better than that. Bit of a nothing performance. Worked hard but the execution wasn’t always there. Did his best to go out with a win but it wasn’t to be. Defensively a real work horse for his side, and with it being his last for his beloved Highlanders, he wasn’t going out wondering. One of the Highlanders’ best today. Thanks for the memories Liam and we wish you well.