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Highlanders 17 Brumbies 28
Highlanders - Umaga-Jensen & Lentjes tries, Banks 2 conversions & penalty
Brumbies - Brown, Lolesio & Lonergan tries, Lolesio 2 conversions & 3 penalties
Fulltime
40th minute - Brumbies win the defensive lineout and maul clear of their line. Valetini bursts towards his 22, the siren sounds and Lolesio kicks the ball out to end the contest. The Aussies have their win over the Kiwis...
39th minute - Highlanders win the lineout and Makalio bursts towards the corner, but is shoved into touch.
38th minute - O'Keeffe playing advantage to Highlanders and another, and eventually brings them back. Hammington takes a quick tap and Samu is penalised - O'Keeffe warns the Brumbies next time is a card.
37th minute - Highlanders have an attacking lineout and Evans wins it at the back. They're driven back, but spread the ball right.
Hunt is wrapped up with the ball, which spills backwards outside the 22.
36th minute - Lio-Willie bursts into the Brumbies 22 and Brumbies are penalised for offside in the shadow of their posts.
35th minute - From the kickoff, Highlanders build phases in the Brumbies half, but can't find a way through. O'Keeffe is playing penalty advantage...
32nd minute - TRY to Lolesio
O'Keeffe is playing advantage, but the Brumbies go left, where Simone carries towards the line and finds Lolesio outside him to score. Lolesio slices his conversion from near touch, BRU 28-17
31st minute - Brumbies win a lineout on halfway and Lonergan darts down the shortside to the 22. Brumbies have an advantage in midfield...
30th minute - Lolesio takes a goal-line dropout and Highlanders build another attack, but they're penalised for not releasing in a tackle.
29th minute - Wright charges forward to take a high kick in Highlanders half and Brumbies try to launch from halfway.
Highlanders win the breakdown, Umaga-Jensen kicks ahead towards the corner and Gilbert reaches out to ground, before the ball bounces into touch. O'Keeffe refers it as a try, but replays show he didn't force cleanly.
28th minute - Banks slots the penalty from in front of the posts, BRU 23-17
26th minute - Highlanders win the lineout and Gilbert busts up centrefield into the 22. Another strong run by Umaga-Jensen and Brumbies are penalised in their own 22.
25th minute - At the lineout, Valetini spills a pass and Highlanders hack the ball downfield into Brumbies 22. That's a 50-22, so Highlanders throw to the attacking lineout.
24th minute - Brumbies win the lineout and rumble towards the 22, but they are isolated in the tackle and concede a clearing penalty. Banks doesn't find touch with his kick...
23rd minute - Brumbies win the scrum and Simoni kicks deep into Highlanders half. Hunt returns to touch on his 10.
22nd minute - Highlanders still pounding away on the 22, but a pass from Banks goes forward to end the movement.
21st minute - The ball squirts out from the scrum, but Hammington dives on it and Highlanders try to build something from the 22.
20th minute - Highlanders throw short to the lineout, but the maul collapses. Highlanders get a feed to an attacking scrum.
19th minute - Highlanders regain possession after the kickoff and O'Keeffe has the Brumbies for offside on their clearance kick. Banks kicks to the corner...
18th minute - Lolesio slots the penalty from left of the posts, BRU 23-14
17th minute - Brumbies win another scrum penalty on the Highlanders feed and have great field position just outside the 22. Lolesio will kick for goal...
16th minute - Lolesio finds touch outside the 22, but the Brumbies throw is not straight.
15th minute - This scrum is taking an eternity to pack down and Brumbies have a penalty advantage, when it collapses.
13th minute - Banks fields a Brumbies clearance kick and sends Hunt over halfway. Umaga-Jensen makes another hard carry, but Highlanders spill the ball.
12th minute - Brumbies penalty doesn't find touch, but they get the ball back from a clearing kick and make halfway.
11th minute - From the kickoff, Fakatava kicks deep and White is caught with the ball. O'Keeffe has the Highlanders offside though.
Ninth minute - TRY to Lentjes
Evans wins the lineout and Highlanders shift right, then back left. Fakatava spies a half gap and finds Lentjes with a deft backhanded flick to dive over.
Banks converts, BRU 20-14
Eighth minute - Highlanders turn the ball over just outside the Brumbies 22 and win a penalty. Banks kicks to touch for an attacking lineout inside the 22.
Seventh minute - Highlanders win a scrum penalty and kick for a lineout near the 22. Coltman's throw is disrupted and O'Keeffe has him for a baulk.
Sixth minute - After a kicking exchange, Hunt tries to stab one throught the defensive line, but it ricochettes back and Highlanders knock on near halfway.
Third minute - Lolesio lines up a kick from 38m out, just to the left of the posts, and slots it, BRU 20-7
Second minute - White feeds to a midfield scrum on halfway, but Brumbies get a free kick and then a penalty advantage for a high tackle. Simoni puts a kick ahead, but Gilbert smothers it and O'Keeffe brings them back for the penalty.
First minute - Banks kicks off for the Highlanders and Swain rises high to claim for the Brumbies.
Halftime
40th minute - Lolesio looks for a 50-22, but Hunt is there to cut the ball off and clears to the 22. Brumbies win the lineout and Sio charges towards the line.
Highlanders steal the ball, but lose it and play it from offside. The siren has gone and Lolesio points to the posts...
Lolesio slots the penalty, BRU 17-7
39th minute - Brumbies have the ball on halfway and White puts up the box kick, easily claimed by Banks.
38th minute - Brumbies try to enter the 22, but lose control of the ball and Highlanders break out over halfway.
37th minute - Highlanders secure the kickoff and Banks clears from his own line.
35th minute - TRY to Umaga-Jensen
Coltman throws long to the lineout and Highlanders win a penalty in the maul. Fakatava takes a quick tap and Highlanders have another offside penalty, but they don't need it, as Umaga-Jensen powers over by the posts.
34th minute - Banks kicks to the corner for an attacking lineout...
33rd minute - Highlanders win the lineout and a penalty advantage outside the 22. O'Keeffe brings them back to midfield for the penalty.
32nd minute - Samu gathers the dropout, but as he brings the ball towards the 22, he runs into his own man - an easy offside penalty. Banks kicks to touch beyond the Brumbies 10.
31st minute - Highlanders enter the Brumbies 22 for the first time, but an ill-advised kick is secured and cleared for a Highlanders goal-line dropout.
30th minute - Lo-Willie wins the lineout and Highlanders try to launch something in the Brumbies half.
29th minute - Highlanders win a penalty, as the scrum turns and Banks finds touch on the Brumbies 10.
28th minute - Brumbies kick to touch, but their throw to the lineout isn't straight.
27th minute - Brumbies win a lineout in their own half, but O'Keeffe has the Highlanders for collapsing the maul.
26th minute - Fakatava feeds a scrum just outside the Highlanders 22 and dashes over halfway, before passing over the sideline.
25th minute - Brumbies take a quick lineout outside the 22 and Lolesio kicks to the goal area, but it bounces dead. Gareth Evans has blood pouring from his head and leaves for stitches.
24th minute - Highlanders clear the scrum and Banks' kick doesn't find touch, so Brumbies back on attack. White bounces a kick into touch five metres out from the line.
22nd minute - From the kickoff, Samu barges out of his 22. The ball shifts right and White chases a kick ahead to touch down, but replays show he's knocked on, while contesting the ball.
Highlanders have a defensive scrum five metres out from their line...
19th minute - TRY to Lonergan
Brumbies take another attacking lineout and Neville rises high to win it. Brumbies maul over the line and Lonergan has a hooker's try.
Lolesio slots the conversion, BRU 14-0
18th minute - Brumbies win the lineout, but big Highlanders defence keeps them out. O'Keeffe has a penalty for offside against Highlanders and he warns Lentjes that yellow will come next.
16th minute - From the lineout, White gets through on Banks' clearance kick and Highlanders are penalised at the breakdown. Brumbies take the attacking lineout.
15th minute - Fakatava runs right off the scrum and Highlanders make ground. When they shift left, Brumbies pounce on a loose ball and Samu kicks ahead. Hunt retreats to smother the threat and Samu is penalised in the ruck.
O'Keeffe warns White for his incessant chirping.
14th minute - Brumbies win a lineout on halfway, but knock on in midfield for a Highlanders feed to the scrum.
13th minute - Highlanders win a lineout, Fakatava passes long left and Umaga-Jensen makes a halfbreak, but they're caught offside at the ruck.
10th minute - TRY to Brown
Highlanders are penalised for deliberate knock-on and Brumbies win the lineout, shifting right and winning three rucks, before Brown reaches out to score by the posts. Lolesio converts, BRU 7-0
Ninth minute - First scrum of the game, Highlanders feed and release right. Fakatava box-kicks and Wright counterattacks, with Muirhead making metres down the left touchline.
Eighth minute - Brumbies win a lineout inside Highlanders half and Ikitau is rocked in a tackle by Umaga-Jensen. When they shift right, Lolesio's pass to Wright is forward.
Seventh minute - Highlanders still building phases in the Brumbies half, but eventually concede a penalty for entering a ruck from the side.
Fifth minute - Fakatava's low, bouncing kick is deep into Brumbies territory and the return kick gives them a lineout on the 10.
Fourth minute - From the lineout, Fakatava's clearing kick is tipped and Brumbies go on attack. Lolesio makes a break into the 22, but when he looks for support, his pass is snaffled by the retreating Highlanders.
Third minute - Brumbies win a scrappy lineout and are eventually penalised for not releasing the ball in the ruck. Highlanders clear outside their 22.
Second minute - Brumbies win the attacking lineout and Valentini runs a punishing line. When the ball shifts right, Wright has an open run to the corner, but loses the ball as he tries to force for a try.
O'Keeffe brings them back for a penalty and Lolesio kicks to the corner.
First minute - Ben O'Keeffe will referee this encounter, as Nic White kicks off for the Brumbies.
White puts a bouncing kick behind the Highlanders defence and Hunt is forced to kick for touch from his goal area.
*****
Kia ora, good afternoon and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the Super Rugby Pacific clash between the Highlanders and Brumbies at Melbourne's AAMI Park.
While the trans-Tasman phase of the competition is obviously a chance to consolidate playoff hopes, the inescapable subplot playing out over ANZAC weekend is the dominance of NZ teams over their Australian counterparts in recent years.
The Kiwis won 23 of 25 meetings against the Aussies during last year's Super Rugby Trans Tasman and are already off to a winning start with two wins so far this season.
If our friends across the ditch are going to win one, this must be their best chance, with their top-ranked team facing our bottom-placed side - without their best player.
All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith is not available for this fixture, so Folau Fakatava has a chance to stamp his personality on the Highlanders, who are also missing injured international flanker Shannon Frizell.
The Brumbies need a bonus-point win to keep pace with the Blues at the top of the table and have plenty of international experience coming off their bench later in the game.
TAB Odds: Brumbies $1.72, Highlanders $2.05
Highlanders: 1-Ethan de Groot, 2-Liam Coltman, 3-Jermaine Ainsley, 4-Bryn Evans, 5-Sam Caird, 6-Hugh Renton, 7-James Lentjes (C), 8-Gareth Evans, 9-Folau Fakatava, 10-Marty Banks, 11-Mosese Dawai, 12-Fetuli Paea, 13-Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 14-Freedom Vahaakolo, 15-Mitch Hunt
Reserves: 16-Andrew Makalio, 17-Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18-Josh Hohneck, 19-Max Hicks, 20-Billy Harmon, 21-Kayne Hammington, 22-Sam Gilbert, 23-Christian Lio-Willie
Brumbies: 1-Scott Sio, 2-Lachlan Lonergan, 3-Sosefo Kautai, 4-Darcy Swain, 5-Cadeyrn Neville, 6-Rob Valetini, 7-Jahrome Brown, 8-Pete Samu, 9-Nic White, 10-Noah Lolesio, 11-Andy Muirhead, 12-Irae Simone, 13-Len Ikitau, 14-Cam Clark, 15-Tom Wright
Reserves: 16-Folau Fainga'a, 17-James Slipper, 18-Tom Ross, 19-Tom Hooper, 20-Luke Reimer, 21-Ryan Lonergan, 22-Rodney Iona, 23-Hudson Creighton
Time for overmatched Australian teams to justify Super Rugby Pacific inclusion
Ollie Ritchie
Rugby Australia insists all five of its Super Rugby sides deserve a place in the competition, but concedes it's time to prove it on the field.
Despite only registering two wins in the trans-Tasman format last year, chief executive Andy Marinos remains bullish that all Australian teams belong in the competition.
This has been a real point of contention between NZ Rugby and Rugby Australia for a couple of years now - it's time for the Aussie sides to walk the walk.
The Aussie teams performed poorly last year, but they got their way, with all five teams into Super Rugby Pacific. Starting Friday, it's time to show they deserve them.
After weeks of NZ and Australian derbies, the competition finally gets its trans-Tasman element and after two years of intense discussions over Australia's place in the competition, Marinos isn't backing down from the importance of having all five Aussie sides.
"It's very important and we still are bullish," he told Newshub. "We're still not going to move out position on that, because we have to look at the bigger picture here."
Marinos is confident 2022 will look a lot better than last year's hastily thrown-together trans-Tasman format.
"From what I've seen so far this year, there's been an improvement on last year, but there's a big litmus test for all of us this weekend to see where we really are," he admitted.
Reds flanker Liam Wright thinks they've been able to identify the areas where they fell behind last year, but knows all the talk of Australian improvement will count for little, if they can't produce results.
"We've got to show growth," he told Newshub. "Obviously, last year was tough and I guess you get that from not playing that style of rugby for a little while.
"We've got to show some growth on last year."
There's optimism in Australia they can find it, with Wallabies legend Tim Horan impressed with how the competition has started and he thinks this season will be much closer.
"I think we're much better prepared than we were this time last year," Horan told Newshub. "Coming out of Super Rugby AU last year, we were probably underdone, but I think the Waratahs, Brumbies and Reds are really competitive this year."
After nine weeks of brutal Kiwi derbies, Chiefs captain Sam Cane is just looking forward to a change in opponents.
"Even the coaches coming up with different ways to attack different opposition... it might sound silly, but it's quite refreshing," Cane told Newshub. "Just doing things slightly different."
Australian sides now hope for some different results, when the trans-Tasman rivalry resumes.
More to come
