Highlanders Upset the Table-Topping Bulls

(Photo by Martin Hunter/Getty Images)

Highlanders vs. Bulls: Match report

Palmerston North was the venue, with the Otago-based franchise taking the game to traditional Hurricanes territory, where a crowd of over 10,000 turned up to witness one of the better games so far in 2009.

The Bulls arrived as the only unbeaten side, top of the table and the best defensive record; with only nine tries and 79 points conceded in five matches. 

While they were missing Bryan Habana and Victor Matfield, they still boasted ten internationals in their match 22. 

After beating the Hurricanes, arguably the strongest New Zealand franchise on paper, last week, there were most punters pick for victory. 

Especially considering that in theory, the Highlanders are one of the weaker teams in the competition, with but three internationals in their entire squad (only the Cheetahs boast less).

In a match where the Highlanders said they were keen to take on the Bulls at their strengths, they did that and then some.  They came out all fire and brimstone and put the Pretoria-based team under pressure they haven’t been under this season.

It was a match of classic domination, where the Highlanders came out and exerted themselves on the Bulls, and outplayed them in all their pet areas.

For the Highlanders, with three of their four losses by less than five points (vs. The Brumbies, Hurricanes and Chiefs) they are moving from predicted bottom dweller to legitimate dark horse.

For a team that has been handicapped by their lack of finishing and X factor, they exhibited both attributes in droves against the Bulls.

For a South African team that has been all class this season, they looked genuinely uncomfortable against a Highlanders team that is improving out of sight.

All Black halfback (a position of real strength in New Zealand rugby) Jimmy Cowan had a wonderful game as Captain; sniping, making breaks and completely shading the “incumbent” world’s best halfback.

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