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Winger James Paterson scored a try in each half as the Otago Highlanders surprised the Canterbury Crusaders 26-18 in Super 15 rugby on Saturday.
Canterbury underestimated the Highlanders by fielding a second-string side and were punished as Otago rallied from 10-3 down to lead 15-13 at halftime, then hung on to a slim advantage through a tense second half.
Paterson scored in the 30th and 41st minutes as the Highlanders posted their seventh win from nine games while handing the Crusaders their second loss from nine matches, and their first since the season's opening round.
The 36-year-old former All Blacks flyhalf Tony Brown helped keep Otago ahead by kicking 11 points from a conversion and three penalties.
Canterbury played without All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, who had a bruised foot, and flyhalf Daniel Carter, who is out with a hamstring strain. But the Crusaders also made a decision to rest several frontline players, among them center Sonny Bill Williams and top tryscorer Sean Maitland, who started on the bench.
Otago, at the same time, was without seven players who started last week's match against the Melbourne Rebels, among them All Blacks flyhalf Colin Slade and flanker Adam Thomson.
The Highlanders employed a fast-moving and smothering defense which, coupled with their strong play at breakdowns, prevented the Crusaders from establishing their usual phase play and fast-paced game plan. Canterbury back movements were repeatedly cut down among the inside backs.
"The defensive line was up quick all night and they really slowed down our ruck ball," Canterbury's stand-in captain Chris Jack said. "All credit to them, it won them the game really.
"We didn't perform that well but, at the same time, we were probably beaten by a better team on the night."
The Highlanders tackled themselves to a standstill but they were helped by the Crusaders' multiple changes which left them often looking panicked and disorganized.
Canterbury attacked repeatedly through the final 18 minutes of the match, after a 62-minute penalty to Brown established the Highlanders' 26-18 lead. But they were unable to break down the defense and at the end the Crusaders' attack had an edge of desperation.
"It was a pretty intense game really," Highlanders captain Jamie McIntosh said. "Both teams made changes and those guys coming in really wanted a big game.
"There was a lot of intensity there, they put us under a lot of pressure at scrum time but we managed to get our phase play going. It wasn't pretty at times but I'm really proud of our defense."
Canterbury led with a first-minute penalty to flyhalf Mat Berquist but Brown answered in the sixth minute to tie the scores. Canterbury then showed how dangerous it can be, particularly when a rush defense fails, by scoring a try through winger Zac Guildford in the 14th minute which gave it a 10-3 lead.
Back rower Nasi Manu handled three times in a movement which led to a try by Siale Piutau which brought Otago back into the match at 10-8. Berquist kicked another penalty but Otago wrested the lead from Canterbury with Paterson's try in the 30th minute.
Paterson showed great pace and strength, beating three players including All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg in a dash down the left touch which gave the Highlanders a two-point margin at halftime.
Paterson then opened the second half with a try, from a pinpoint crossfield kick by Brown, which gave Otago a 20-13 lead and all but clinched the match.
Center Adam Whitelock scored an intercept try for Canterbury which again cut the margin to two points but penalties to Brown in the 60th and 62nd minutes gave Otago a lead of more than seven points.
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Otago 26 (James Paterson 2, Siale Piutau tries; Tony Brown conversion, 3 penalties), Canterbury 18 (Zac Guildford, Adam Whitelock tries; Mat Berquist conversion, penalty, dropped goal). HT: 15-13.
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Canterbury underestimated the Highlanders by fielding a second-string side and were punished as Otago rallied from 10-3 down to lead 15-13 at halftime, then hung on to a slim advantage through a tense second half.
Paterson scored in the 30th and 41st minutes as the Highlanders posted their seventh win from nine games while handing the Crusaders their second loss from nine matches, and their first since the season's opening round.
The 36-year-old former All Blacks flyhalf Tony Brown helped keep Otago ahead by kicking 11 points from a conversion and three penalties.
Canterbury played without All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, who had a bruised foot, and flyhalf Daniel Carter, who is out with a hamstring strain. But the Crusaders also made a decision to rest several frontline players, among them center Sonny Bill Williams and top tryscorer Sean Maitland, who started on the bench.
Otago, at the same time, was without seven players who started last week's match against the Melbourne Rebels, among them All Blacks flyhalf Colin Slade and flanker Adam Thomson.
The Highlanders employed a fast-moving and smothering defense which, coupled with their strong play at breakdowns, prevented the Crusaders from establishing their usual phase play and fast-paced game plan. Canterbury back movements were repeatedly cut down among the inside backs.
"The defensive line was up quick all night and they really slowed down our ruck ball," Canterbury's stand-in captain Chris Jack said. "All credit to them, it won them the game really.
"We didn't perform that well but, at the same time, we were probably beaten by a better team on the night."
The Highlanders tackled themselves to a standstill but they were helped by the Crusaders' multiple changes which left them often looking panicked and disorganized.
Canterbury attacked repeatedly through the final 18 minutes of the match, after a 62-minute penalty to Brown established the Highlanders' 26-18 lead. But they were unable to break down the defense and at the end the Crusaders' attack had an edge of desperation.
"It was a pretty intense game really," Highlanders captain Jamie McIntosh said. "Both teams made changes and those guys coming in really wanted a big game.
"There was a lot of intensity there, they put us under a lot of pressure at scrum time but we managed to get our phase play going. It wasn't pretty at times but I'm really proud of our defense."
Canterbury led with a first-minute penalty to flyhalf Mat Berquist but Brown answered in the sixth minute to tie the scores. Canterbury then showed how dangerous it can be, particularly when a rush defense fails, by scoring a try through winger Zac Guildford in the 14th minute which gave it a 10-3 lead.
Back rower Nasi Manu handled three times in a movement which led to a try by Siale Piutau which brought Otago back into the match at 10-8. Berquist kicked another penalty but Otago wrested the lead from Canterbury with Paterson's try in the 30th minute.
Paterson showed great pace and strength, beating three players including All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg in a dash down the left touch which gave the Highlanders a two-point margin at halftime.
Paterson then opened the second half with a try, from a pinpoint crossfield kick by Brown, which gave Otago a 20-13 lead and all but clinched the match.
Center Adam Whitelock scored an intercept try for Canterbury which again cut the margin to two points but penalties to Brown in the 60th and 62nd minutes gave Otago a lead of more than seven points.
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Otago 26 (James Paterson 2, Siale Piutau tries; Tony Brown conversion, 3 penalties), Canterbury 18 (Zac Guildford, Adam Whitelock tries; Mat Berquist conversion, penalty, dropped goal). HT: 15-13.
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