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Highlanders 32 Brumbies 48
FULLTIME
One last scrum as the Highlanders lose the ball. The Brumbies just need to put this into touch.
Lonergan feeds, goes to Debreczeni, who clears - and that's it!
The Highlanders lose five straight!
80 mins - TRY BRUMBIES
Lolesio finds touch for a lineout. McInerny throws, and there's a scramble before the hooker ends up with it!
McInerny breaks and finds Lonergan back inside him! Lonergan draws in the last man, before he offloads to Samu - and he scores!
That should be the win!
Lolesio converts.
HIG 32 BRU 48
78 mins
Burns has stayed down with what looks like cramp. Lolesio kicks from the dropout, straight to Garden-Bachop.
They go wide to Withy on the wing, before Nareki and Umaga-Jensen go back the other way.
Harmon picks and goes, but doesn't release in the tackle and gives away a penalty!
76 mins
Brumbies scrum, but the Highlanders give away a free kick. Lolesio goes downfield, and now the Highlanders have to use it.
Fakatava somehow splits upfield, before they go wide to Nareki - tackled on the wing.
Burns kicks over the top, and there's a scramble but Ikitau gets there ahead of Johnstone to force a dropout.
74 mins
Another lineout on the 5m line. Marshall throws, Mikaele-Tu'u wins it and they drive.
Marshall has it at the back, and goes to Fakatava.
Fakatava finds Umaga-Jensen, who looks for Paea, but the ball goes to ground!
Paea pleads with the referee to check upstairs, but he doesn't.
73 mins
Lonergan box kicks, and Garden-Bachop wins it to give the Highlanders the ball. They need to score next.
They go wide to the right, and then back infield as Frizell wins advantage.
The whistle goes, and Burns finds touch for a lineout in the corner. Great kick.
71 mins - PENALTY BRUMBIES
Do the Brumbies want the points? A penalty puts this beyond a converted try.
Lolesio lines it up, and converts! Advantage Brumbies!
HIG 32 BRU 41
70 mins
Brumbies' scrum, just outside the Highlanders' 22. It feels like next try wins it from here.
Lonergan feeds, and goes to Sapsford off the back. They've got advantage, as Wright kicks for the corner, but the ball dribbles into touch.
69 mins
McInerny throws, but it's knocked on by the Highlanders to give the Brumbies a scrum.
68 mins
How do the Highlanders respond? The Brumbies threaten out wide again as Lolesio kicks on the right wing, but Burns gets back and finds touch.
67 mins - TRY BRUMBIES
McInerny throws, but Frost can't hold it.
The ball bounces backwards and the Brumbies end up with it. Toole breaks down the left! But his pass back inside is intercepted before Nareki clears back downfield.
The Brumbies have it again as Sapsford goes to the air. Muirhead gets there in the air, and bats it back to Samu.
They go wide to Toole again - and this time he kicks over the top! The bounce is kind, and he beats Garden-Bachop to the ball, and kicks it again!
Toole has no competition, and races into the in-goal to dot down for a try! The Brumbies take the lead again!
Lolesio to convert, inside from the left touchline - and it's perfect!
HIG 32 BRU 38
64 mins
Burns restarts, before Lonergan clears into touch.
His kick was touched though, so that'll be a Brumbies lineout on halfway.
63 mins - TRY BRUMBIES
Brumbies lineout, with a man down. McInerny, on for Lachlan Lonergan, throws short to Samu - who goes for the line and he scores from close range!
Lolesio to convert, and give the Brumbies the lead again.
Away to the left, and his kick just curls past the post.
HIG 32 BRU 31
61 mins
Lolesio kicks off again, Mikaele-Tu'u wins it. Fakatava clears with a box kick, straight to Lolesio.
The Brumbies just look to hold onto the ball here. But they've got a penalty as Marshall leaves his feet at the breakdown.
60 mins - TRY HIGHLANDERS, YELLOW CARD BRUMBIES
Big advantage Highlanders here. Johnstone replaces Lienert-Brown, Ainsley replaces Ma'u.
Marshall throws, Frizell wins it and they drive. The Brumbies defend before Marshall peels off the back.
Umaga-Jensen runs to the line, and wins advantage. Harmon goes close from inside the 5m line.
Fakatava throws a dummy, goes for the line - and he scores! We'll check upstairs for a knock-on in the lead-up, but onfield call is try.
No issue with the try from first look, and it'll be awarded. Double victory for the Highlanders, Luke Reimer is shown yellow as well.
Burns to convert, and he does!
HIG 32 BRU 26
58 mins
Do the Highlanders want the points? Nope, they take the lineout in the corner.
Marshall is on for Makalio, and throws. He finds Renton, who offloads to Harmon inside him on the short side, but the Brumbies read it.
The Highlanders are forced wide, but Burns goes back the other way. Nareki tries to step through, as does Frizell. Renton goes again, tackled, but wins advantage - and then a penalty.
Will this be a card? Lonergan is warned - next penalty is a yellow.
56 mins
Makalio throws and the Highlanders have it under control, Fakatava waits at the back as they win advantage.
Umaga-Jensen hits the line, as Burns goes to the air for Gregory - who slips it to Garden-Bachop!
Another advantage for a high tackle, as Nareki goes on a run to the left. Mikaele-Tu'u straightens, before another penalty is given away.
Lienert-Brown has stayed down hurt, so play is stopped.
55 mins
Lonergan throws again, Samu wins it as the Brumbies run from their own half.
Lonergan clears with a box kick, and Garden-Bachop takes it cleanly. Frizell runs, but the Brumbies give away a penalty for hands in the ruck.
Burns clears for a lineout.
54 mins
The Brumbies want the lineout. Lonergan throws, Swain wins it and Lonergan has a run off the back.
Valetini runs, but loses it in the tackle as Nareki boots it downfield into touch.
53 mins
Burns kicks off again, and Muirhead wins it for the Brumbies.
Lonergan goes to the air, straight to Garden-Bachop, though.
He runs into the tackle, but Schoupp turns it over to give the Brumbies a penalty.
52 mins - TRY BRUMBIES
The Highlanders lose the ball from the kickoff - Mikaele-Tu'u - to give away a scrum in their 22.
Lonergan feeds, and has it at the back as the scrum drives. They go to the backs as Sapsford runs and they win advantage.
Samu picks and goes, tackled. They go wide to the left as Sapsford offloads to Toole outside him - and he scores in the corner now!
The Brumbies hit back straight away - and can take the lead with this kick!
Lolesio lines it up, and lands it! The Brumbies take the lead!
HIG 25 BRU 26
48 mins - TRY HIGHLANDERS
Makalio throws, Frizell wins it as Harmon hits the line hard.
The Highlanders go wide as Garden-Bachop gets inside the 22, and then finds Gregory. They go wide to the right, as Lienert-Brown and Makalio combine.
The play is sloppy, though, and the Brumbies have time to get back in defence.
Burns slips Umaga-Jensen into a gap on the right wing - and no one can stop him! He beats one, and then two to go over in the corner!
Can Burns convert? No! He pushes his kick left, so the gap is six points.
HIG 25 BRU 19
46 mins
Lonergan throws, Samu wins it as Lolesio goes to the air and into touch again.
45 mins
Makalio throws, Frizell wins it and the Highlanders use it through the hands.
Fakatava goes back to Burns, who kicks over the top as the ball dribbles into touch for a Brumbies lineout in their own 22.
44 mins
Fakatava feeds, but the Highlanders win a penalty as the front row goes down.
Slipper the culprit again. Burns clears into touch.
43 mins
Fakatava box kicks, as Wright claims it. The Highlanders have turned it over though - and Burns kicks for a 50-22.
Muirhead gets back to save it, before the Highlanders give away advantage attempting to intercept.
Lonergan goes to the air, and Garden-Bachop wins it for the Highlanders.
Ma'u carries towards halfway, as Fakatava throws a dummy before he splits the line!
Frost intercepts Fakatava's pass back infield, but then drops it to give the Highlanders a scrum.
Phew.
41 mins
The Highlanders are back out for the second half - 40 minutes away from getting their season back on track.
The Brumbies return to the field as well. Lolesio kicks off to restart.
HALFTIME - PENALTY HIGHLANDERS
The siren goes, will the Highlanders take the shot at goal? They do.
Burns lines it up, and slots it to take the lead at the break!
HIG 20 BRU 19
40 mins
Into the final minute of the half. Fakatava feeds, and goes to Gregory off the back.
Harmon offloads to Mikaele-Tu'u, and he gets over halfway. The Highlanders have advantage as they go wide to Paea.
Paea loses it in the tackle, so we go back for the penalty.
39 mins
Brumbies scrum. Lonergan feeds, but Samu is swamped by Harmon trying to play it off the back.
Mikaele-Tu'u, on for Renton, has turned it over and the Highlanders attack inside the Brumbies half.
Frizell tries to break the line, tackled. Fakatava goes wide, but the Brumbies intercept!
Toole breaks down the left, and offloads to Wright - but he's ankle tapped by Fakatava! He loses it forward trying to keep the ball alive, and the Highlanders have a scrum.
37 mins
White finally leaves the field, he hasn't looked right since that initial knock. Ryan Lonergan replaces him.
Highlanders scrum. Fakatava feeds, and they go left through Burns - but Gregory drops it, backwards.
Frizell hits the line, before Burns goes to the air, only to see it dribble dead in-goal.
35 mins
Another scrum, dead centre of the field. White feeds, as Samu plays it off the back.
They go to their right, as Alaalatoa hits the line. Sapsford offloads to Swain - but he knocks on to give the Highlanders a scrum.
White looks in real discomfort.
34 mins
Burns kicks off again, as the Brumbies bring it under control for White to clear.
The Highlanders control it, but Fakatava knocks on trying to play it.
Brumbies scrum just inside their half.
32 mins - TRY BRUMBIES
Lonergan throws, Swain wins it and the Brumbies drive. The Highlanders defend so the Brumbies are forced to go wide.
Ikitau nearly splits the line, before White is tackled short of the line but wins advantage.
Valetini does the same, before Swain picks and goes to score another!
All square in Canberra - can Lolesio put them in front?
Yes he can!
HIG 17 BRU 19
30 mins
Lolesio kicks off, and Garden-Bachop is smashed by Toole - who wins a penalty for his trouble!
Great play from the Brumbies, who'll have a lineout on the 5m line.
29 mins - TRY HIGHLANDERS
White limps from the field, as the Brumbies restart with a dropout. Renton makes ground up towards the 22, before Harmon tears through the line!
Frizell gets a bit closer to the tryline, as they go wide to Burns on the left and past the 5m line after he's not tackled initially.
Fakatava picks and goes, draws in the defenders, and then offloads to Daniel Lienert-Brown who scores in the left corner!
Calls for a double movement against Burns, but the TMO has no issue.
Burns converts.
HIG 17 BRU 12
27 mins
Burns finds touch, and the Highlanders have a lineout. Makalio throws, Dickson wins it and goes back to Makalio.
Umaga-Jensen hits the line hard, with the Highlanders inside the 22.
Fakatava kicks over the top for Burns to chase, but White gets back to ground it in goal.
25 mins
How do the Highlanders respond? Burns restarts, and kicks straight to Muirhead.
White clears with a box kick, but Sapsford gives away a penalty for obstruction.
24 mins - TRY BRUMBIES
Brumbies scrum on the five-metre line. White feeds, as they get a shove on. White goes to Sapsford at first receiver, he hits the line and wins advantage.
Swain goes for the line, but he's tackled short. Brown picks and goes - and he's over!
Lolesio converts from right in front.
HIG 10 BRU 12
20 mins
White kicks off, Dickson spills it, Frost snaps it up and the Brumbies are through!
Brumbies have advantage. They go left, and are inside the 5m line. White and Lolesio go to the backs, but White is tackled - and Lentjes turns it over.
We go back for the penalty, though.
20 mins - TRY HIGHLANDERS
Highlanders lineout, Makalio throws. They win it and go to Umaga-Jensen at first receiver.
The ball goes back to Burns - who puts an attacking bomb up! The ball bounces kindly for Nareki, who wins it, and beats two defenders to score! Brilliant from Nareki!
The referee wants to check upstairs, not sure what for. Potentially a knock on in the challenge between Nareki and Muirhead.
The ball has come off Nareki's shoulder onto his head - so all good, and the try stands!
Burns converts from right in front.
HIG 10 BRU 5
18 mins
Highlanders scrum, but win a free kick, Slipper again the culprit in what's been a pretty ordinary few minutes.
Burns belts it downfield, but it's not out. Wright returns fire into touch.
18 mins
Burns kicks off again, as Valetini runs at the line. The Brumbies look to use their forwards, before White clears with a box kick.
Sapsford gets up and wins it back, before the Brumbies go wide to Toole! He has room, but his pass back inside is intercepted by Umaga-Jensen to get rid of any danger.
The Brumbies turn it over, but Slipper knocks on.
15 mins - TRY BRUMBIES
Lolesio finds the corner for a lineout. Lonergan throws, they win it and attack as Sapsford hits the line.
The Brumbies go wide to their right, and then back infield as Alaalatoa offloads to Frost inside him.
They go to the right again as Lolesio finds Ikitau, who dives for the corner - and he scores!
Lolesio lines up the conversion, but misses to the left of the posts.
HIG 3 BRU 5
13 mins
White kicks off, before a scramble sees Renton clear downfield.
The Brumbies run back into the Highlanders' half, and win advantage, as play stops for the penalty.
High tackle against Slipper.
12 mins - PENALTY HIGHLANDERS
The Highlanders want the points - and Burns converts from right in front.
HIG 3 BRU 0
11 mins
Lonergan throws, Valetini wins it, White clears into touch for a Highlanders lineout.
Makalio throws, Frizell wins it and goes to Fakatava.
Umaga-Jensen puts Harmon into a gap as he runs into the 22, they go left as Paea goes wide to Nareki, who beats his man to get closer to the 5m line.
Renton picks and goes, tackled. Frizell picks and goes and wins advantage. Renton goes again, but play is called back for the penalty.
10 mins
Brumbies lineout on halfway. Lonergan throws, but it's over the top as Makalio claims it for the Highlanders.
They go left through Paea as Nareki looks to break down the wing. He looks to kick along the ground, but the ball goes into touch.
8 mins
Makalio throws, Dickson wins it. They look for an inside pass to Nareki, but he's tackled as the Highlanders are forced wide.
Frizell runs, but Sapsford wins a turnover to end the danger.
8 mins
Highlanders scrum, similar position to the last one.
Slipper goes early, so we've got our first reset of the day. Fakatava feeds, Renton has it at the back, as Fakatava switches the play to the Highlanders' right.
They go back infield as Renton runs, before Burns clears downfield. Wright gets it, and goes for the up and under, which Garden-Bachop wins and breaks the first tackle.
Nareki has a go, and then finds Fakatava inside him. The passes are sloppy, but the Highlanders end up with a penalty, looks like hands in the ruck?
That'll be a lineout in the corner.
5 mins
Highlanders scrum, 10m inside their own half. Fakatava feeds, and exchanges passes with Renton off the back, but White intercepts to win it back for the Brumbies.
Slipper runs, but knocks on in the tackle.
Another Highlanders scrum.
4 mins
Lonergan throws, Frost wins it and the Brumbies can attack inside the Highlanders' half.
Muirhead knocks on in the tackle, though.
Highlanders scrum.
3 mins
Fakatava feeds, and goes to Burns as the Highlanders attack to the left. Gregory spills the ball on the wing, before tidying up - only to kick out on the full inside the 22.
Big mistake, Brumbies lineout.
1 min
Muirhead takes the first kickoff, and runs before he's tackled.
White goes to the air with a box kick, and it's knocked on back onto the Brumbies side.
Wright runs, but knocks on to give the Highlanders a scrum.
KICKOFF
Right then. Here we go - Freddie Burns to kickoff in the Aussie captial - and we're away!
4:34pm
And now Allan Alaalatoa does the same for the Brumbies - good crowd in attendance for a Sunday afternoon!
4:33pm
Billy Harmon leads the Highlanders out of the sheds and out onto GIO Stadium.
4:30pm
There doesn't appear to be any changes to the sides that were named earlier in the week.
4:25pm
Good afternoon! We're not far away from kickoff in Canberra - in what could be a make or break game for the Kiwi side.
******************
Kia ora, good afternoon and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of this Super Rugby Pacific round 12 clash between the Highlanders and Brumbies, from Canberra's GIO Stadium.
After four straight defeats, the Highlanders have the unenviable task of trying to get something from a trip to the Australian capital.
What's more, they'll be without Aaron Smith and Ethan de Groot on All Blacks rest, while Sam Gilbert has also been given a week off.
But so thin are the Highlanders' stocks, loose forward Shannon Frizell has been shifted into the second row, starting at lock while James Lentjes dons the No.6 jersey.
Victory would move the Highlanders into eighth on the ladder - and into the final playoff spot - while a fifth straight loss would be another nail in their coffin in terms of reaching the post-season.
Should they lose again this afternoon, the Highlanders' hopes will largely lie on results against the Rebels and Reds in Dunedin, before finishing the regular season away to the Blues.
They'll be up against a Brumbies side looking to move to second on the Super Rugby table, able to overtake both the Hurricanes and Crusaders if this afternoon's result goes their way.
TAB odds: Brumbies $1.22, Highlanders $4.20, draw $26
Teams:
Highlanders: 1-Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2-Andrew Makalio, 3-Saula Ma'u, 4-Shannon Frizell, 5-Josh Dickson, 6-James Lentjes, 7-Billy Harmon (c), 8-Hugh Renton, 9-Folau Fakatava, 10-Freddie Burns, 11-Jona Nareki, 12-Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 13-Fetuli Paea, 14-Scott Gregory, 15-Connor Garden-Bachop
Reserves: 16-Rhys Marshall, 17-Ayden Johnstone, 18-Jermaine Ainsley, 19-Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, 20-Sean Withy, 21-James Arscott, 22-Mitch Hunt, 23-Jonah Lowe
Brumbies: 1-James Slipper, 2-Lachlan Lonergan, 3-Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4-Darcy Swain, 5-Nick Frost, 6-Rob Valetni, 7-Jahrome Brown, 8-Pete Samu, 9-Nic White, 10-Noah Lolesio, 11-Corey Toole, 12-Ollie Sapsford, 13-Len Ikitau, 14-Andy Muirhead, 15-Tom Wright
Reserves: 16-Connal McInerney, 17-Blake Schoupp, 18-Rhys van Nek, 19-Tom Hooper, 20-Luke Reimer, 21-Ryan Lonergan, 22-Jack Debreczeni, 23-Hudson Creighton
