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A huge second half has seen the Western Force come from 14-3 behind to defeat the Highlanders 14 - 21 in Dunedin.
The Western Force has become the first Australian team to win in New Zealand in 2011 and secured its fourth successive win against the Highlanders with an impressive 21 - 14 victory at Carisbrook Stadium on Friday night.
The late withdrawal of fullback Cameron Shepherd saw the Perth side head into the match with six regulars out of action, four of them capped Australian internationals, but against the odds produced an inspired second half.
After trailing by 11 at the break the Emirates Western Force piled on 18 unanswered points, including a brace to winger David Smith, to stun the Highlanders and all but end their finals hopes.
“We certainly showed wonderful character, I don’t think that has ever been brought into question amongst this group, but tonight they were rewarded for their efforts,” Coach Richard Graham said.
“I’m incredibly proud of this group,” added Graham.
A magnificent defensive effort was the bedrock of the win which secured the club its third victory on the road and fourth overall of the campaign.
While the effort was shared amongst the squad David Pocock and Matt Hodgson were prominent in the loose while James Stannard again showed great composure in just his second Super Rugby game at flyhalf, expertly driving the side around the park.
Stannard was in the thick of the action from the outset, opening the scoring with a penalty but then yellow carded for tackling a Highlanders player without the ball.
Already reeling after letting Ben Smith cross for the home side’s first try of the night, the Emirates Western Force were looking down the barrel of an eight point deficit and a rejuvenated Highlanders outfit all hurtling at them while being a man down.
Despite a hefty weight stacked against them, the West Aussies found composure and turned on a defensive fortitude that has been a trademark of their play all season to limit the damage to just one further penalty goal.
Trailing by 11 points the Emirates Western Force came out after the break needing to find some scoring avenues but also succeeded in turning the House of Pain in the House of Frustration for the Highlanders.
The home side struggled to unlock the visitors’ clam-like defence and with the ball being played predominantly in the West Aussie’s attacking half it seemed like only a matter of time before they would be rewarded.
The Highlanders were stretched left and right as Alfie Mafi and the Pocock were both held up centimetres short of the line before Smith skilfully manoeuvred his way through the defence to slam down his first of the night.
Stannard made no mistake in adding the extras and with 15 minutes remaining there was only four points the difference.
Substitute Richard Brown and impressive rookie Paddy Dellit, playing at fullback, continually punched holes in an increasingly ragged Highlanders defence only for a forward pass to deny Smith a second try in as many minutes.
Moments later though Stannard nailed a penalty to close the gap to a point and the tension levels rose dramatically amongst a home crowd desperate to see their side continue their push for the finals and also farewell Carisbrook Stadium with a win.
However the Emirates Western Force had plenty of motivation of their own to get the job done and soon were celebrating one of their best tries this season.
Smith picked up the ball in midfield, still some five metres inside his own half, and then embarked on a searing run. He wrong-footed and brushed aside three helpless Highlanders defenders before touching down in the corner.
It was a moment of sheer brilliance from the powerful winger who had limited opportunities in the opening half but certainly made his impact felt in a stunning second 40 minutes.
While Stannard failed to secure the conversion the ball was soon back in the West Aussies hands and another penalty goal from the pivot extend the lead to seven with just a minute to play.
There was to be no late lapse this time around, the Emirates Western Force holding onto the ball and celebrating a win fitting of the effort and hard work produced by the Perth side.
2011 Super Rugby – Week 16
Friday, 3 June 2011 at Carisbrook Stadium, Dunedin
Highlanders 14 (Tries: Ben Smith; Pen: Lima Sopoaga 3)
Emirates Western Force 21 (Tries: David Smith 2; Conv: James Stannard; Pen: Stannard 3)
By the clock
Min Details Score
12 James Stannard Penalty Goal 0 - 3
15 Lima Sopoaga Penalty Goal 3 - 3
17 Lima Sopoaga Penalty Goal 6 - 3
23 Ben Smith Try 11 - 3
24 Lima Sopoaga Missed Con 11 - 3
26 James Stannard Sin Bin 11 - 3
28 Lima Sopoaga Penalty Goal 14 - 3
43 Lima Sopoaga Missed PG 14 - 3
54 OFF: Ben McCalman / ON: Richard Brown
63 OFF: Nathan Charles / ON: Ben Whittaker
63 OFF: Alfie Mafi / ON: Nick Cummins
65 David Smith Try 14 - 8
66 James Stannard Conversion 14 - 10
66 OFF: Tim Fairbrother / ON: Matt Dunning
72 James Stannard Penalty Goal 14 - 13
74 David Smith Try 14 - 18
75 James Stannard Missed Con 14 - 18
79 James Stannard Penalty Goal 14 - 21