Live coverage has concluded, please click here for the full wrap
Highlanders 20 Waratahs 21
FULLTIME
Hunt kicks short, but Nawaqanitawase wins it! The Waratahs just have to hold on - and they do!
The Highlanders lose by a point in Sydney!
79 mins - TRY WARATAHS
The Waratahs opt for the tap and go.
Gamble and Hooper both make attempts for the line, both takcled short.
Vailanu goes - and he's over! The Waratahs can kick for the lead in the final seconds.
Donaldson line it up from just away to the right. And he won't miss from there!
The Highlanders trail by one with seconds to go!
HIG 20 WAR 21
78 mins
Vailanu throws, Holloway wins it, and they drive again. The Highlanders defend well, and the Waratahs are forced to use it.
Vailanu picks and goes, but Renton makes the tackle. Another advantage for the Waratahs, though.
Gamble picks and goes, tackled short.
Gordon dives for the line, but he's held up, so we'll go back for the penalty.
76 mins
Vailanu throws, and the Waratahs look for the lineout drive.
Vailanu has it at the back, but the Highlanders give away another penalty.
This'll be a card. And it is. Parkinson is shown yellow, and the Highlanders will finish with 14.
75 mins
Vailanu throws, and the Waratahs win it. Pietsch breaks. He loses it, but the Highlanders give away a penalty.
Donaldson does find touch this time.
74 mins
Fakatava replaces Smith, and the Waratahs are back to 15.
Vailanu throws, Hooper wins it. The Waratahs look to keep hold of the ball as Perese hits the line. Advantage Waratahs with the Highlanders offside.
Play is stopped and Donaldson kicks for the corner. It's not out though! Garden-Bachop kicks downfield, and Jorgensen kicks it back.
Fakatava calls for the mark, and Garden-Bachop clears. Another lineout.
72 mins
Donaldson finds touch, and the Waratahs have a lineout in the corner.
Vailanu throws, and they go for the lineout drive. Gordon has the ball at the back, but Renton wraps him up and steals it? The players stop and look to the ref, who says play on, so Highlanders ball?
Hunt clears into touch.
72 mins
Vailanu throws, Hooper wins it and the Waratahs run.
Will Harris is taken out by Nareki in a chop tackle, so penalty for the Waratahs.
This is not one of the great games, if I'm honest.
70 mins
Marshall throws, but the Waratahs end up with it again. They go wide to Seu, who tries to kick through, but bounces off Nareki into touch for a lineout.
69 mins
Marshall throws, but the Waratahs are called for obstruction at the lineout.
Hunt finds touch for another lineout.
68 mins
Vailanu throws, and the Waratahs win it again. Gordon kicks over the top and finds touch for a Highlanders lineout inside their own 22.
68 mins
Waratahs lineout. Vailanu throws and Holloway wins it for the Waratahs.
The ball goes back to Donaldson, who boots it downfield for Hunt.
Hunt finds Garden-Bachop, who kicks into touch for another lineout.
66 mins
Gordon feeds, de Groot is subbed off for Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Nawaqanitawase goes as first receiver, before Jorgenen goes to the air.
The Highlanders claim it, but Smith's attempted kick is charged down by Gordon, and the Waratahs are camped in the 22.
Jorgensen drops it, but the ball goes backwards, before the Waratahs lose it.
The Highlanders look to go quickly, but Gilbert loses it into touch.
64 mins
Smith clears with a box kick after the restart, and the Waratahs have a lineout.
Porecki throws, but it ends up on the Highlanders side!
They go wide, but Nareki knocks on to give the Waratahs a scrum.
63 mins - TRY HIGHLANDERS, YELLOW CARD WARATAHS
Highlanders lineout in the 22, Marshall throws, and they win it.
Smith nearly slips Frizell through, but he's tackled short - and wins advantage.
Smith picks and goes himself - and scores! The Highlanders lead for the first time!
It could get worse for the Waratahs - Foketi is shown a yellow card for a tip tackle on Frizell!
Gilbert to convert - and does!
HIG 20 WAR 14
61 mins
Donaldson kicks off, and Garden-Bachop returns fire straight into touch for a Waratahs lineout.
Porecki throws, and they win it. Hooper is tackled and wins advantage, before Pietsch breaks down the left.
Foketi kicks crossfield for Nawaqanitawase, but Garden-Bachop catches it and calls for the mark.
He clears, but straight to Jorgensen. Donaldson clears again, as Hunt drops it but the ball goes backwards.
Smith clears downfield, to Donaldson, who puts Pietsch through. He drops the ball, as Smith boots the ball downfield looking for a 50-22, and gets it!
58 mins - TRY HIGHLANDERS
Marshall throws, Frizell wins it and the Highlanders go to their rolling maul - with advantage.
They won't need it - as the forwards go over! It looks like de Groot has scored it. Nope, Renton maybe? Gilbert converts in the meantime, and closes the gap to a point.
HIG 13 WAR 14
57 mins
Porecki throws, the Waratahs win it, and kick it downfield to Garden-Bachop.
He breaks the line, and wins advantage, before play is stopped in the tackle.
Smith tries to go quickly, but is stopped as Hunt finds touch for a lineout.
56 mins
Marshall, on as a sub, throws his firstlineout, and the Highlanders win it.
They go from side to side, but lose the ball as Lowe is bundled into touch out on the right wing.
Jona Nareki comes on for his first appearance since 2021, replacing Gregory on the left.
55 mins
Smith feeds, the Highlanders drive - and win another penalty through de Groot this time!
Can Hunt find touch this time? He can.
54 mins
Porecki throws, and the Waratahs have it. De Groot makes a pest of himself though, and wins a penalty, much to Gordon's fury.
Highlanders scrum.
53 mins
Porecki throws over the top, and the ball ends up with Nawaqanitawase. Donaldson kicks downfield to Garden-Bachop, who kicks into touch in reply.
52 mins
Hunt clears, and it's not out again! Pietsch runs it back and finds Jorgensen, who goes wide to Nawaqanitawase and he breaks down the right.
Hooper kicks over the top for Jorgensen, but the Highlanders get there first through Paea - but he's swamped and shoved into touch by Perese.
51 mins
Smith feeds, and the Highlanders look for the shove, but play is stopped for a reset.
Smith feeds again, and this time the Waratahs front row goes down for another penalty.
49 mins
Porecki throws, and this time Holloway wins it against Frizell's challenge - but the Highlanders end up with it anyway after a loose pass.
They go wide to the right, and then back infield through Makalio. Smith goes to the air with a box kick.
It hits Pietsch and ends up on the Waratahs side. Nawaqanitawase has a run, but drops the ball in the tackle.
Highlanders scrum.
46 mins
Porecki throws, but this time the Highlanders steal it - Frizell the hero.
Smith clears with a box kick for a Waratahs lineout.
46 mins
Makalio throws, but the Waratahs win it and can attack.
Donaldson clears, Garden-Bachop kicks it back. Jorgensen clears in return as the Highlanders look to use it in their own half.
De Groot gives away a penalty for an illegal cleanout on Seu, though.
He's stayed down hurt, and Donaldson clears for a Waratahs lineout.
44 mins
Highlanders scrum, and they win a penalty as the front row collapses. Ainsley doing the damage.
Hunt kicks for the corner - but can't find touch! Jorgensen clears though, and the Highlanders have a lineout.
42 mins
Nawaqanitawase catches the kickoff, and boots it straight into touch for a Highlanders lineout.
Makalio throws, and the Highlanders win it to get on the front foot. Gilbert wins advantage, before Smith runs.
No advantage, so we go back for the penalty, and a scrum for the Highlanders.
41 mins
We're nearly ready to get underway for the second half. Big team talk from Clarke Dermody to the Highlanders.
The Waratahs are back out on the field.
Hunt will kickoff to start the second spell, and does.
HALFTIME - TRY WARATAHS
Waratahs lineout after the 50-22. Porecki throws, and the Waratahs go for the rolling maul.
They go to the backs and Foketi, before Gordon picks and goes! They're so close here, as the ball dribbles to Seu, who finds with a pop pass to Foketi - and he scores!
Donaldson kicks the conversion, and that's the first half done!
HIG 6 WAR 14
39 mins
Another lineout for the Highlanders. Makalio throws and this time Frizell wins it.
The Highlanders have the ball in the Waratahs' half.
They go to Holland - who loses the ball in the tackle.
Hooper picks it up - and then kicks a 50-22!!!
37 mins
Hunt finds touch for a Highlanders lineout. Makalio throws, but Holloway gets up to disrupt and the Waratahs have it.
Gordon boots it into touch to relieve the pressure.
36 mins
Ainsley has stayed down hurt in backplay. We'll resume though.
Porecki throws, Gleeson wins it - but Withy gets over the ball in the tackle and wins a penalty!
35 mins
Highlanders dropout. Gleeson runs from the restart, and carries to halfway.
Gordon clears with a box kick, and the ball bounces as Garden-Bachop and Nawaqanitawase clash.
Gilbert snaps it up, and the Highlanders go right. Smith goes to the air with a box kick, and Gregory wins it.
The Highlanders have the ball on halfway. They go wide to the left and Gregory again, but the Highlanders lose it!
Gordon kicks for a 50-22, but Garden-Bachop saves it, and clears into touch under pressure.
32 mins
Looks like the Waratahs want the points. Donaldson lines it up from about 40m out, but pushes his kick wide.
31 mins
Makalio throws, and the Highlanders win it.
They go back to Hunt, who clears downfield to Nawaqanitawase. The Waratahs bring it under control, and kick back downfield.
The Highlanders lookto go through the hands, but Lowe drops it. Gone backwards is the call.
Gilbert goes on a run, but Hooper gets over him to win a turnover, and penalty.
30 mins
Smith feeds, and the HIghlanders win the penalty - and it's de Groot that's done it! He gets the better of Johnson-Holmes.
Hunt clears for a lineout.
28 mins
Holland gives away a penalty from the restart, and Donaldson finds the corner for a lineout.
Porecki throws, Holloway wins it and they drive. The Highlanders defend, but th Waratahs have the ball just outside the 22.
They go wide to Nawaqanitawase, but the pass from Perese is called forward.
Highlanders scrum.
26 mins - PENALTY HIGHLANDERS
They want the points again. Gilbert lines up the shot from just inside the Waratahs half.
I tell you what, though, he only goes and belts it between the sticks!
The Highlanders trail by one!
HIG 6 WAR 7
25 mins
Makalio throws, and the Highlanders win it.
Gilbert runs as first-receiver, and wins a penalty for his troubles.
24 mins
Porecki throws, Holloway wins it. The Waratahs run, as Pietsch nearly slips through.
Renton and de Groot combine to stop him - and win a penalty.
Hunt clears into touch for a lineout.
23 mins
Donaldson kicks off, and Renton wins it. Smith clears, straight to Jorgensen.
Gordon stabs a kick down to Hunt, who clears into touch under pressure.
22 mins - PENALTY HIGHLANDERS
The Highlanders want the points. Gilbert lines up the kick, and he makes no mistake from in front!
HIG 3 WAR 7
21 mins
Makalio goes quickly, and exchanges passes with Withy down the left!
Makalio kicks over the top, but Hooper catches and calls for the mark. The kick isn't out though, as Garden-Bachop starts again.
The Highlanders get into the 22, as Makalio barges over the line - and wins a penalty. Hands in the ruck from Gleeson the call.
20 mins
Hunt kicks off, and the Waratahs build again. Gordon clears straight into touch with a box kick for a Highlanders lineout.
18 mins - TRY WARATAHS
Lineout instead actually. Porecki throws, Gleeson wins it. The Waratahs are patient this time, before going to Foketi out on the left.
Hooper has a cack at the line, but can't break through, but Perese takes some tackling.
He keeps going, and going - and he's over! Incredible strength from the centre! The Waratahs score first.
Donaldson to convert, and does from away to the left.
HIG 0 WAR 7
15 mins
Waratahs lineout, right on halfway. Porecki throws, and they drive over into Highlanders territory.
Gordon goes high with a box kick - and Hunt drops it this time!
Waratahs scrum inside the 22!
14 mins
Highlanders scrum, best opportunity of the night so far, right in the centre of the park. Smith feeds, but a reset is called.
Take two. They line up again, but the front rows go down. Another reset.
Take three. Smith feeds, and Renton runs off the back. The Highlanders have the ball in the 22. De Groot hits the line, as does Makalio.
Smith slips a pass to Gregory, who carries closer to the 5m line. They go wide through Gilbert, and back infield to de Groot. Tucker nearly spins out of the tackle, but the Waratahs hold.
Garden-Bachop tries to step through, before Withy is tackled - and the Waratahs have turned it over!
Gordon the hero there.
9 mins
Waratahs' scrum, first of the night. Gordon feeds, and the ball goes back to Donaldson, who kicks downfield.
Garden-Bachop kicks it back, but Jorgensen drops it cold!
Highlanders scrum, right in the 22.
8 mins
Nawaqanitawase clears into touch for another Highlanders lineout. Makalio throws and Frizell wins it.
This time the Highlanders run, as Garden-Bachop carries towards the 22. Hunt kicks through the line, but no one is chasing.
Jorgensen gets there first, and kicks it straight back for the Highlanders to try again. They go wide to Lowe on the right, and back infield for Tucker.
Now they go wide to the left, but can't get any further forward. Smith box kicks with no other way forward, and Jorgensen takes it. He runs on the Waratahs' right, but is smothered.
The ball goes to Perese, who clears down to Garden-Bachop, who clears it back to Jorgensen.
Gordon box kicks, and Gregory wins it in the air for the Highlanders. They go left to Paea, but Lowe drops the ball trying to go quickly.
Long phase over, Waratahs scrum.
4 mins
Hunt clears for a Highlanders lineout. Makalio throws and the Highlanders win it.
Smith box kicks, Nawaqanitawase takes it cleanly and calls for the mark.
3 mins
Porecki throws, Sinclair wins it and the Waratahs get their first taste of the ball.
They go left, before Gordon sends it back to the right. Gleeson splits right through the line, and runs inside the 22.
They go wide to Perese, but he's tackled on the left wing. The Highlanders defence is holding firm, for now.
Holloway is smashed bu Frizell, before winning a penalty! Great defence.
1 min
The Highlanders bring it under control, as Smith clears into touch with a box kick.
We'll have the first lineout.
KICKOFF
Right, we're set to go in Sydney. Aaron Smith leads one last huddle for the Highlanders.
The Waratahs will kickoff, Ben Donaldson to get us rolling.
And we're away at Allianz!
9:37pm
The Highlanders will perform a haka before kickoff, Thomas Umaga-Jensen leads it, Aaron Smith stands at the front.
9:33pm
Jake Gordon leads the Waratahs out of the sheds, they're also looking to rebound after an absolute hammering at the hands of the Blues last weekend.
Aaron Smith leads the Highlanders out, and both sides enter the field side by side as part of Super Rugby's culture round.
9:15pm
Good evening! We're not far away from kickoff in Sydney, as the Highlanders look to end their losing run.
They'll be looking to make it two-from-two for Kiwi teams tonight, after the Hurricanes' win over the Brumbies.
We'll be ready for kickoff shortly!
*************
Kia ora, good evening, and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the Super Rugby Pacific clash between the Highlanders and NSW Waratahs at Sydney's Allianz Stadium.
The Highlanders are chasing their first win in a month, following their shock defeat to the Western Force, which saw three players yellow-carded.
It's prompted coach Clarke Dermody to ring the changes, with All Blacks halfbacks Aaron Smith and Folau Fakatava both making welcomed returns.
Victory tonight could see them move back into sixth spot on the table, with a match-up against the lowly Waratahs providing the perfect opportunity.
The hosts sit 10th on the ladder, with just two wins this season, and are coming off a thumping defeat to the Blues.
Join us at 9:30pm for kickoff.
Highlanders: 1-Ethan de Groot, 2-Andrew Makalio, 3-Jermaine Ainsley, 4-Fabian Holland, 5-Will Tucker, 6-Shannon Frizell, 7-Sean Withy, 8-Hugh Renton, 9-Aaron Smith (c), 10-Mitch Hunt, 11-Scott Gregory, 12-Sam Gilbert, 13-Fetuli Paea, 14-Jonah Lowe, 15-Connor Garden-Bachop
Reserves: 16-Rhys Marshal, 17-Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18-Saula Ma'u, 19-Pari Pari Parkinson, 20-Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, 21-Folau Fakatava, 22-Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 23- Jona Nareki
Waratahs: 1-Te Tera Faulkner, 2-David Porecki, 3-Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4-Jed Holloway, 5-Hugh Sinclair, 6-Taleni Seu, 7-Michael Hooper, 8-Langi Gleeson, 9-Jake Gordon, 10-Ben Donaldson, 11-Dylan Pietsch, 12-Lalakai Foketi, 13-Izaia Perese, 14-Mark Nawaqanitawase, 15-Max Jorgensen.
Reserves: 16-Mahe Vailanu, 17-Nephi Leatigaga, 18-Daniel Botha, 19-Will Harris, 20-Charlie Gamble, 21-Harrison Goodard, 22-Joey Walton, 23-Mosese Tuipulotu
TAB odds: Highlanders $2.20, Waratahs $1.67
