The Highlanders show power and skill against the Reds.
The Highlanders have reminded Australian rugby that Super Rugby Trans-Tasman will be a different and potentially much more painful ball game with a six-try, 40-19 win against the Reds in Dunedin. In the Highlanders first game with Clarke Dermody in charge and head coach Tony Brown in Japan, the Highlanders’ forward pack stepped up against the Australians, dominating at the lineout and gaining a crucial edge at scrum time in the first half. Indeed, on a cold evening in Dunedin, it looked like the Reds’ celebrations after winning Super Rugby AU last weekend had caught up with them in the first 40 minutes, with star No 10 James O’Connor quiet in the opening spell and replaced at halftime after picking up a head knock.
By Stuff8 days ago
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The Highlanders have reminded Australian rugby that Super Rugby Trans-Tasman will a different and potentially much more painful ball game with a six-try, 40-19 win against the Reds in Dunedin.
In the Highlanders first game with Clarke Dermody in charge and head coach Tony Brown in Japan, the Highlanders forward pack stepped up against the Australians, dominating at the lineout and gaining a crucial edge at scrum time in the first half.
Indeed, on a cold evening in Dunedin, it looked like the Reds celebrations after winning Super Rugby AU last weekend had caught up with them in the first 40 minutes, with star No 10 James O Connor hooked at halftime after a quiet opening spell.
Thorn drops Stewart after another Reds âdiscipline issueâ
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Queensland Reds centre Hamish Stewart has become the second player stood down by coach Brad Thorn this year for an alcohol-related âdiscipline issueâ ahead of Saturdayâs top of the table clash with the Brumbies.
It comes as Thorn expressed extreme disappointment at reports Izack Rodda, who left the Reds in bitter circumstances last year, is set to return to Australian rugby.
Reds centre Hamish Stewart wonât face the Brumbies this weekend.
Credit:Getty
Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper did just that and is currently playing in Japan, but Rodda s RA contract was torn up as he headed to France for a lucrative deal with Lyon. But the 24-year-old Rodda could return to Super Rugby alongside Hooper, albeit without the Rugby Australia top-up deal and on less than half the potential million-a-season offer he could attract in Europe. Depth at lock was one issue highlighted by incoming Wallabies coach Dave Rennie last season and director of rugby Scott Johnson was frustrated to lose the talent over an issue he believed could have been reconciled. After a season in France they will happily welcome him back into the fold, with the bargain price set and Rodda now effectively able to choose between reported suitors NSW Waratahs, Melbourne Rebels and frontrunners Western Force if he wishes to return.