Highlanders (14) 14 / Force (3) 21 (Final Score)

The Highlanders hosted the Western Force at Carisbrook Stadium, Dunedin at 09:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ local time). This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.

The Highlanders were simply blown off the field in the second half by a very gutsy Western Force side. Ideal result for the sides from South Africa with aspirations for the play-off’s.

Scorers:

Highlanders: 3 Penalties Lima Sapoaga, 1 Try Ben Smith

Force: 3 Penalties & 1 Conversion James Stannard, 2 Tries David Smith

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Teams:

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Siale Piutau, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 John Hardie, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3  Chris King, 2 Mo Schwalger, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (captain).
Replacements: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Tom Donnelly, 19 Nick Crosswell, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Robbie Robinson, 22 Alando Soakai.

Western Force: 15 Cameron Shepherd, 14 Alfie Mafi, 13 Patrick Dellit, 12 Rory Sidey, 11 David Smith, 10 James Stannard, 9 Mark Swanepoel, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 David Pocock, 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe (captain), 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Kieran Longbottom.
Replacements: 16 Ben Whittaker, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Tom Hockings, 19 Richard Brown, 20 Chris Cottee, 21 Mitch Inman, 22 Nick Cummins.

Referee: Jonathon White
Assistant referees: Vinny Munro, Kane McBride
TMO: Mike Fraser