Join today and you can easily save your favourite articles, join in the conversation and comment, plus select which news your want direct to your inbox.
Join today and you can easily save your favourite articles, join in the conversation and comment, plus select which news your want direct to your inbox.
The Highlanders have put the Western Force to the sword with a six-try second half in a 55-6 Super Rugby win in Perth.
After losing three of their first four games this season, the Highlanders are on a roll with an eighth-consecutive win, demolishing the Force on Saturday at nib Stadium.
The Lions hit back against The Sharks in the second half to scrape away a win courtesy of a huge Ruan Combrinck penalty goal in the dying minutes of the game.
With fresh reports of their impending Super Rugby export, the Western Force's spirits took another dive - thrashed 55-6 by the Highlanders in Perth.
The Highlanders scored eight tries in all to be averaging 39 points a game over their winning run. It keeps them in touch for second spot in the New Zealand conference, two points behind the Hurricanes and Chiefs, with the Crusaders runaway leaders.
The Highlanders' running game was on song, while the visitors took advantage of passing errors by the home team and dominated the breakdown in the absence of Ben McCalman and Matt Hodgson.
Too easy: Aki Seuili of the Highlanders crosses for a try. Photo: Getty Images
The Force, still second last in the Australian conference, looked a tired outfit on returning from a loss to the Sharks and a win over the Jaguares on the road.
The night started badly for the Force when experienced five-eighth Peter Grant left after a nasty head knock.Tries to Tevita Li and Aki Seiuli gave the Highlanders a 17-6 halftime lead.
Advertisement
But when Force pair Semisi Masirewa and Richard Arnold were in the sin bin early in the second half, the Highlanders started to roll.
You will now receive updates fromRugbyheaven Newsletter
Rugbyheaven Newsletter
Get the latest news and updates emailed straight to your inbox.
It began with a try to Patrick Osborne in the 44th minute. Prop Seiuli added his second seven minutes later and the procession continued. Rob Thompson scored in the 59th minute, before Dillion Hunt crossed five minutes later after a blistering run from Lima Sopoaga.
Another Billy Meakes pass was chopped off in the 67th minute leading to a Richard Buckman try.
The Highlanders added their eighth when Thompson crossed for a second time after the 80th minute.
The Force take on Queensland on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium. The Highlanders return home to host the NSW Waratahs on Saturday.
0 comments
New User? Sign up