The Highlanders are already out of the running for the Super 14 play offs and they now only have pride to play for.
This match will be held at Invercargill where the Highlanders and Waratahs have never faced each other.
Match detail
We are waiting for the kick off - The Highlanders will start with Matt Berquist at 10 and Robbie Robinson on the bench.
0.01: Berrick Barnes kicks off and we are underway.
1.00: The Highlanders start well but the ball pops out and the Waratahs have a chance to attack but knock forward.
2.00: The Highlanders get the first penalty so Jimmy Cowan takes it quickly and the Highlanders gain about 25m and then lose the ball forward as the weather is pretty bad and the ball is very wet.
5.00; Great play from the Highlanders sees them work the ball up to th Waratahs tryline. They drive for the line but Phil Waugh stays on his feet and steals the ball saving a try.
9.00: Relentless pressure and recycling from the Highlanders sees Steven Setephano driven over the line and he scores the first try of the match.
10.00: Israel Dagg misses the conversion.
11.00: The Highlanders resume exactly where they left off before the try and get the ball into the Tahs 25.
12.00: Fetu'u Vainikolo and Dagg have a couple of runs and the Highlanders recycle and Cowan passes to Adam Thompson who scores !
13.00: Israel Dagg adds the conversion.
16.00: Conditions are pretty bad now. The Highlanders continue to throw the ball around but are still preventing the Waratahs from getting any possession.
20.00: The Highlanders go off their feet so the Waratahs get a penalty. Halangahu takes the kick and slices it between the posts.
21.00: Lachie Turner loses the ball from the restart and the Highlanders pounce. They grab the ball and work the ball up to the try line and then get pushed out.
25.00: Rutledge gets some attention medically which holds the game up. You get the feeling that the Waratahs are edging their way back into this.
28.00: The Highlanders get a penalty but Dagg takes the kick and misses.
32.00: The Waratahs up the pace and Beale and Barnes with Mowen and Mumm combine for Beale to go over for the first Waratahs try.
33.00: Halangahu adds the conversion.
38.00: The Highlanders start working the ball forward but Clint Newland gives away a penalty in the Waratahs half. The Tahs then fail to find touch and the Highlanders start their attack all over again.
40.00: The siren goes for half time. Hopefully the conditions will improve for the second half.
The half time score was Highlanders 12 Waratahs 10
Berquist kicks off and the second half is underway.
42.00: Thankfully the weather has cleared up a bit for the second half. The Highlanders win a penalty so Berquist kicks for touch but does not find it - Mitchell kicks it back and the Waratahs win some good ground.
46.00: The Highlanders swing the ball around and Adam Thomson appears on the wing with Bekhuis and Thomson darts in low for the line and scores for the Highlanders.
47.00: Matt Berquist takes over the kicking duties - the weather is pouring down again and there is something of gale coming down so Berquist's kick gets snatched by the wind and misses.
49.00: Well it's still all the Highlanders as Kenny Lynn makes a break but the ball goes out from a pass and the Waratahs dodge another curve ball. The Waratahs are really struggling to get going here.
52.00: The Highlanders still piling on the attack are awarded a penalty on the Waratahs 25m line. Berquist takes the kick and nails it in the pouring rain.
57.00: The Highlanders have not changed their game plan throughout this match and the Waratahs have just not adapted to it. They keep picking away at the Waratahs and gaining ground.
61.00: The Waratahs have reshuffled their back line as Sosene Anesi is now at full back and it is starting to work better. As I write that they give away a penalty and the Highlanders work the ball into the Tahs half.
63.00: Another penalty for the Highlanders. Beale not retreating. Berquist takes the kick and nails it.
65.00: The Waratahs start working the ball through the phases but the Highlanders come in and turn the ball over.
68.00: The Waratahs scrum gives away a penalty so Berquist gets yet another shot at the posts. He nails it - more pain for the Waratahs.
72.00: The Highlanders are keeping the Waratahs pinned back in their half. Robinson spins a pass out to the Highlanders backline but it goes to ground and the Waratahs pounce.
73.00: As the Tahs go forward the Highlanders steal the ball and push the Waratahs back into their 25 again. The Tahs just cant get going.
75.00: The Highlanders are finishing as they started. They attack 10m out and pass to Thomson who is just pushed into touch. He throws the ball away in frustration and gives away a penalty.
76.00: The Waratahs boot the ball downfield and Carter and Turner combine for the best attacking spell from the Tahs. Cowan puts in a try saving tackle but the Tahs recycle and get the ball to about 10m out.
78.00: The Highlanders give away a penalty and the Waratahs choose to scrum about 5m out.
79.00: The Waratahs win the scrum and attack but the Highlanders defence is solid.
80.00: The Siren goes but we have time for another Tahs scrum but the Highlanders win the ball and run it out of their 25. They swing it to the wing and then after a recycle they give away a penalty.
82.00: The Waratahs run the ball but knock on- thats it - Highlanders win.
The final score is Highlanders 26 Waratahs 10
Scorers
Highlanders
Tries - S. Setephano, A.Thompson 2
Pen - M Berquist 3
Con - I Dagg
Drop -
Cards -
Waratahs
Tries - K Beale
Pen - D Halangahu
Con - D Halangahu
Drop -
Cards -
Match Officials
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (NZ)
Assistant referees: Josh Noonan (NZ) , Kane McBride (NZ)
TMO: Garratt Williamson (NZ)
Teams
Highlanders - 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Kenny Lynn, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Matt Berquist, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Steven Setephano, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thompson, 5 Hayden Triggs, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Chris King.
Reserves: 16 Peter Mirrielees, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Joe Tuineau, 19 John Hardie, 20 Scott Cowan, 21 Robbie Robinson, 22 James Paterson.
Waratahs ; 15. Kurtley Beale , 14. Lachie Turner , 13. Tom Carter , 12. Berrick Barnes , 11. Drew Mitchell , 10. Daniel Halangahu , 9. Josh Holmes , 8. Ben Mowen , 7. Phil Waugh [c] , 6. Dave Dennis , 5. Kane Douglas , 4. Dean Mumm , 3. Al Baxter , 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau , 1. Dan Palmer
Reserves , 16. Damien Fitzpatrick , 17. Jeremy Tilse , 18. Chris Thomson , 19. Patrick McCutcheon* , 20. Luke Burgess , 21. Rory Sidey , 22. Sosene Anesi , 23rd Man - Chris Alcock
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