Highlanders

Join us at 4:30 as the Highlanders look to avoid becoming the second Kiwi side to fall to the Drua.

Billy Harmon knows Scott Robertson well but only grins when asked if he is expecting any favours from the next All Blacks coach. The Highlanders captain has ...

That is the number of line breaks from winger Iosefo Masi this year. "I think it’s well deserved. "We know what the Fijian Drua can bring. He deserves it." Here is another number: seven. "That’s testament to who he is, as a person.

64' The Highlanders swing it right to Lowe who puts in a flat kick that dribbles into touch 23m out. 59' Tevita Ikanivere scores for the Drua. Lomani converts ...

Taniela Rakuro gets one back for the Drua in the 34th but Mitch Hunt gets the last say as he dots down in the 40th minute. 2 minutes later prop Jermaine Ainsley got one back for the hosts, successfully converted by Sam Gilbert to bring the scores 7-7 level. The Drua scored first through nippy halfback Frank Lomani in the 14th minute which was successfully converted by Kemu Valetini for the Drua to lead 7-0.

Highlanders 57. Drua 24. The Highlanders have shown the importance of squad depth. It has been a difficult start to the Super Rugby season for Clarke ...

In an open game, both sides enjoyed the spaces to move, however whenever the Highlanders got inside the Drua 22, Smith took over. It has been a difficult start to the Super Rugby season for Clarke Dermody’s side, who have been without several first-choice players due to injuries. With plenty of running rugby from both sides for the fans to enjoy, the Fijians never stopped asking questions of their hosts, with a couple of tries in the half, however the Highlanders had too much firepower and ran out to a big win.

Highlanders lose four players before kickoff and one more during the game but run riot as backline finally fires.

Even though it is only week five, the significance of this result shouldn’t be underplayed. Ainsley gets the award as his fine season continues. However, the Highlanders’ superiority started up front. * Fijian Drua 24 (Frank Lomani 2 tries 13min, 75min, Taniela Rakuro try 33min, Tevita Ikanivere try 58min; Kemu Valetini con, Frank Lomani con). At Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin: Highlanders 57 (Jermaine Ainsley try 15min, Ethan de Groot try 21min, Martin Bogado 2 tries 27min and 73min, Sam Gilbert try 29min, Mitch Hunt try 40min, Aaron Smith try 43min, Jonah Lowe 53min try, Cam Millar try 78min; Sam Gilbert 5 con, Cam Millar con).

Aaron Smith of the Highlanders kicks the ball during the Super Rugby Pacific match against Fijian Drua at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Photo: Getty Images.

The Fijians appeared to have the consolation of the last try of the game when halfback Frank Lomani scored his second following a spirited counter-attack. He scored the first by burrowing over the line following a flowing team move, and he recovered untidy possession to dish to Jonah Lowe for the second. Smith had a hand in the two early tries in the second half that pushed the Highlanders from 33-12 to an unbeatable 45-12.

After losing Shannon Frizell in the warmup against the Western Force last weekend, the Highlanders were hit by no fewer than four withdrawals before kickoff on ...

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The Drua scored first through nippy halfback Frank Lomani in the 14th minute which was successfully converted by Kemu Valetini for the Drua to lead 7-0.

Bogado gets his second for the night, Lomani gets his second as well, with impact player Cameron Millar having the last say of the night to end things 57-24. Tevita Ikanivere keeps the Drua’s hopes alive as he dots down in the 59th minute, converted by Lomani to bring it 45-19. Taniela Rakuro gets one back for the Drua in the 34th but Mitch Hunt gets the last say as he dots down in the 40th minute.

Under the roof in Dunedin! AROUND THE GROUNDS. We just saw Matatu beat Chiefs Manawa 33-31 in a pulsating Super Rugby Aupiki final! Following this Moana ...

The win will be remembered for a... Basic mistakes at crucial moments. The Highlanders beat back the Fijian Drua 57-24 in a clash in Dunedin.

That's all we have for this one. Stay with Tribe for the clash between Moana Pasifika and the Hurricanes from Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland which gets ...

The Highlanders conceded the first try of the match, then scored five of their own in the first half.

Lomani scored only moments later and the Highlanders looked in trouble. Brilliant scrumhalf Frank Lomani scored the opening try for the Drua after 14 minutes. "We know the Drua, they love to play that loose game and it's easy to get into that loose game when you're against it.

Watch as Highlanders full-back Sam Gilbert stumbles before scoring a try in his side's 57-24 victory over the Fijian Drua in Dunedin on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Lomani and Taniela Rakuro scored the Drua’s tries with Valetini slotting one conversion. Live & On Demand on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport. He had a clear run-in but Frank Lomani chased him down before putting in a desperate ankle tap which resulted in Gilbert stumbling. [Highlanders](https://www.planetrugby.com/team/highlanders) as [Aaron Smith](https://www.planetrugby.com/tag/Aaron-Smith/) and Jonah Lowe scored tries, with Gilbert succeeding with one conversion, which meant the hosts held a comfortable 45-12 lead by the 53rd minute. On the hour mark Tevita Ikanivere scored the Drua’s third try which was converted by Lomani and there was plenty of action in the game’s closing stages as Bogado and Cameron Millar scored further tries, with Millar adding one conversion, while Lomani also crossed for another five-pointer for the visitors. ↳ Highlanders v Fijian Drua, LIVE NOW.

Missing a host of players, the Highlanders still had enough to notch more than 50 points.

Highlanders lose four players before kickoff and one more during the game but run riot as backline finally fires.

Even though it is only week five, the significance of this result shouldn’t be underplayed. Ainsley gets the award as his fine season continues. However, the Highlanders’ superiority started up front. * Fijian Drua 24 (Frank Lomani 2 tries 13min, 75min, Taniela Rakuro try 33min, Tevita Ikanivere try 58min; Kemu Valetini con, Frank Lomani con). At Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin: Highlanders 57 (Jermaine Ainsley try 15min, Ethan de Groot try 21min, Martin Bogado 2 tries 27min and 73min, Sam Gilbert try 29min, Mitch Hunt try 40min, Aaron Smith try 43min, Jonah Lowe 53min try, Cam Millar try 78min; Sam Gilbert 5 con, Cam Millar con).

Just when the injury woes for the Highlanders looked to be easing, four players go down in the 24 hours before the round five match.

Bogado kept his composure in the face of some heavy defence and imposed himself on the match, limping over for a well-earned try. Gilbert got plenty of practice off the tee in this one and managed a decent success rate. Was unfortunate to be yellow-carded in the 30th minute. Keeping a team composed and firing against the Drua is a tough ask and Harmon deserves plenty of credit for that. A mixed performance from the captain, with some great work on defence and some lacklustre moments. Continued his strong work throughout and made some big plays, especially on the defensive end. He made himself known in the rolling mauls, dragging his men forward and holding off Fijian disruptors. The Highlanders survived the early back and forth to take a commanding halftime lead of 33-12. Produced a strong finish through two Fijian defenders to score the Highlanders’ second try. Despite being down, the Drua looked dangerous throughout and always pose a comeback threat so Highlanders coach Clarke Dermody will be pleased to see some young Highlanders make the plays to keep a lid on the game. The second 40 was more of an arm wrestle, points were a little harder to come by which meant the tries that were scored were even more impressive. The Fijian Drua are likely the last team you want to face when you’re depth is being tested by injury and this match was certainly a test of all players’ physicality and fitness.

Coach Clarke Dermody says the southerners are now seeing the benefits of their tough start, with options to choose from in each position.

“A lot of work has gone in,” Dermody said. * “We’ve been building,” Dermody said.

The Drua scored first through nippy halfback Frank Lomani in the 14th minute which was successfully converted by Kemu Valetini for the Drua to lead 7-0.

14 - 24 Fri 24 Mar Team