Super Rugby Trans Tasman Friday: Round Up

Super Rugby Trans Tasman kicked off today and here is how the first day’s games went down.

Highlanders v Reds:

Highlanders punish Super Rugby AU Champions the Reds at Forsyth Barr Stadium in the first game of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.

The Highlanders were in control after the first half. They scored in the first minute and took a 21-7 lead into the break. Reds came out firing and scored first after the break, but Highlanders never panicked and kept the pressure on the Reds and punished their mistakes.

The Reds scored at the death but it was just a consolation. Highlanders wrap up a bonus-point 40-19 win.

Waratahs v Hurricanes:

The Hurricanes and Waratahs put on a scintillating spectacle as the New Zealand side ran out 64-48 winners in a 17 try thriller in the opening round of Super Rugby Trans Tasman.

Two tries apiece saw the Waratahs up 14-12 after the opening 15 minutes of play. The Waratahs then slotted a penalty midway through the first half, but for the next 15 minutes it was all Hurricanes, as they ran in three tries to race into a 33-17 lead. The Waratahs needed a response before halftime and did just that, with a try with the final play seeing them trail 33-24 at the break.

The sea-saw battle continued throughout the second half, with the sides alternating three tries apiece to see the Hurricanes up 54-43 with a little under ten minutes remaining.

Two quick tries in the final five minutes saw the Hurricanes finally seal the victory, but there was still time for a Waratahs score with the final play to bring the match tally of tries to an astounding 17.