Following a dramatic 24-20 victory for the Hurricanes over the Highlanders, here are our five takeaways from the Super Rugby Pacific clash at Sky Stadium on Friday.
The top line
It was heartbreak for the Highlanders but elation for the Hurricanes as the hosts snatched a barely deserved victory in Wellington. With the clock in the red, Cam Roigard fought his way over from close range to boost their play-off hopes and, at the same time, end the visitors’ chances of reaching the top-six.
Throughout the game, the ‘Landers played like a team who knew their season was on the line. In the opening period, they were excellent in attack, manufacturing two fine tries for Jonah Lowe, with the second an outstanding team move.
After the break, it was all about defence with Timoci Tavatavanawai putting in big hit after big hit as the hosts upped the intensity after a disappointing first half, where Bailyn Sullivan’s converted try was their only score.
The ‘Canes put their opponents under significant pressure in the second period and moved into the lead at the end of the first quarter through Roigard’s try and Ruben Love’s penalty, but ill-discipline enabled Taine Robinson to kick quick-fire three-pointers as the Highlanders regained that advantage.
It duly set up a thrilling ending as Jamie Joseph’s men valiantly held out in the last 10 minutes. However, the dam eventually burst and Roigard was the person to breach it, snatching a priceless win.
Losing – and gaining – control
Love started his career as a fly-half but over the past few years he has cemented himself at full-back, earning All Blacks selection as a result. However, a crisis in the 10 jersey prompted a reshuffle with Love standing in rather effectively as the ‘Canes drew the Western Force before claiming impressive wins over the Brumbies and the Chiefs.
His inexperience in the position rather showed on Friday, though, as he and All Blacks star Roigard failed to dictate proceedings. There were errors aplenty with the scrum-half surprisingly one of the main culprits. They perhaps overplayed on occasion, falling into the trap set by the Highlanders, who have a number of excellent breakdown threats, and the hosts duly became frustrated.
Love perhaps needed to go to the boot more often, knowing that the Highlanders midfield was shutting down their options out wide and it enabled the visitors to control matters in the opening period. The fly-half certainly would have learned plenty in this encounter as the returning Brett Cameron showed how it should be done after the break.
Cameron was not expected to play this season after rupturing his ACL seven months ago, but the playmaker has made a remarkable recovery and in his first match back managed to change the momentum.
His kicking game got the Hurricanes on the front foot while he also added an extra ball player to a backline that already contained Love, Callum Harkin and Billy Proctor. That allowed the hosts to stretch the Highlanders rearguard in the second period and also provide Roigard with more opportunities to snipe around the fringes, which led to the winning try.
Power-packed midfield
Despite the struggles Joseph’s men have endured this season, the physicality of the centre partnership has been a feature of their game in 2025. Co-captain Tavatavanawai has been an ever-present at 12 and he has been joined by either Tanielu Tele’a or Thomas Umaga-Jensen.
On Friday, it was Tele’a who started at 13 after a month’s absence and the abrasive centre proved his effectiveness on both sides of the ball. One-on-one, the 26-year-old was explosive in contact as the Hurricanes found out for Lowe’s second try where he barrelled down the right to set up the position for the wing to score.
In defence, he was similarly sturdy alongside Tavatavanawai as they constantly disrupted the Hurricanes’ attack. No doubt the skipper was the key man, however. The inside centre may have got it slightly wrong on one occasion, receiving a yellow card for head-on-head contact, but he was immense for the other 70 minutes. His breakdown penalty win in the 79th minute should have been decisive only for the lineout to let them down.
Lineout woes
That rather leads onto this next section. For most of the match, it was Asafo Aumua struggling to hit his targets as the ‘Landers dissected the Hurricanes set-piece. It has been a weakness for the powerhouse hooker during his career and it will be a worry for Scott Robertson heading into the 2025 Test season.
Although Aumua made strides in that area in 2024, on Friday the 28-year-old was often picked off in the air, preventing the home side from taking advantage of their territorial dominance, particularly in the second half.
It could have cost them the game but, rather ironically, it was the Highlanders who were ultimately left to rue a lineout error late in the game. As already mentioned, Tavatavanawai did brilliantly well to steal the ball and earn a penalty to relieve some fierce ‘Canes pressure, but they failed to execute at the subsequent lineout and, following that mistake, the hosts would win the game in the next multi-phase attack.
All Blacks watch
There were plenty of options which would have interested Robertson on Friday – some who took their chances and others who didn’t. With the regular season getting towards its denouement, competition for places is hotting up and Roigard was the standout from a Hurricanes perspective.
His first half display was underwhelming but that all changed after the break as his brace and variety in attack proved decisive. Elsewhere, it was slim pickings with Aumua struggling in the set-piece and Love having a very poor opening 40 minutes. Proctor also had a few errors in him and didn’t put in the type of performance which would put Rieko Ioane under any significant pressure, but he stepped up when it mattered after the break.
Peter Lakai, who impressed against France last year, was busy without being dominant, and in truth the best of the back five was the old warhorse himself, Brad Shields, who was impressive at close quarters.
It was ultimately some of the Highlanders’ key men who shone the brightest as Tavatavanawai added to his reputation with a fine effort, especially in defence, while Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens was the best player on the field in the first half. Lock Fabian Holland put in a fine display, too, and it would not be a surprise to him see involved with the All Blacks.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/hurricanes-v-highlanders-five-takeaways-as-cam-roigard-breaks-visitors-hearts-to-leave-all-blacks-hopefuls-immense-performance-in-vain
