Highlanders

43 - 35

Full Time

Force

Force vs Highlanders

Events

Commentary

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Live Updates

It's all over! The referee has blown their whistle to end the game.

83'

Western Force go for goal with Bayley Kuenzle taking the conversion but their aim is not up to scratch as the ball slides to the left of the post.

83'

Try

Western Force are stopped just a few metres from the try line but Ollie Callan picks up from the base of the ruck to score the try.

82'

This is dangerous for the defence as Ollie Callan bursts through to advance the Western Force attack.

82'

Issak Fines-Leleiwasa sets up the try.

82'

This is dangerous for the defence as Bayley Kuenzle bursts through to advance the Western Force attack.

80'

Finn Hurley comes on for Highlanders.

80'

Martin Bogado leaves the field.

80'

Cameron Millar comes on for Highlanders.

80'

Mitch Hunt leaves the field.

80'

The ball swings towards the posts but floats to the right, Bayley Kuenzle will have to re-adjust the radar.

79'

Try

Western Force are stopped just a few metres from the try line but Siosifa Amone picks up from the base of the ruck to score the try.

79'

Oliver Haig comes on.

77'

Sean Withy comes off.

77'

Conversion

Sam Gilbert has kicked a conversion.

77'

Try

A wonderful passing move by Highlanders is finished off by Hugh Renton

76'

Spellbinding play by Sam Gilbert is finished off with a try.

76'

This is dangerous for the defence as Sam Gilbert bursts through to advance the Highlanders attack.

76'

Western Force decide to make a substitution, with Feleti Kaitu'u getting some game time.

71'

Western Force decide to make a substitution, with Ryan McCauley being replaced.

71'

Highlanders decide to make a substitution, with PJ Sheck getting some game time.

71'

Highlanders decide to make a substitution, with Jermaine Ainsley being replaced.

71'

Conversion

Sam Gilbert has kicked a conversion.

71'

Try

A series of passes by Highlanders results in a try for Jonah Lowe

70'

That's a great try assist by Mitch Hunt.

70'

Western Force make a substitution with Issak Fines-Leleiwasa coming on.

66'

Western Force make a substitution with Gareth Simpson coming off.

66'

Western Force sub Manasa Mataele comes onto the field.

63'

Toni Pulu departs for Western Force.

63'

Highlanders sub Folau Fakatava comes onto the field.

61'

Aaron Smith departs for Highlanders.

61'

Conversion

The Highlanders supporters go wild as Sam Gilbert successfully kicks the conversion.

61'

Try

Highlanders are only a few metres out, surely they must score! And they do with Sean Withy touching down.

60'

Spellbinding play by Aaron Smith is finished off with a try.

60'

Siosifa Amone comes on for Western Force.

59'

Santiago Medrano leaves the field.

59'

Felix Kalapu comes on for Western Force.

59'

Michael Wells leaves the field.

59'

Yellow Card

George Poolman (Western Force) is shown a yellow card

57'

George Poolman comes on.

52'

Bryce Hegarty comes off.

52'

Conversion

The touch judges raise their flags as Bayley Kuenzle kicks the conversion.

52'

Try

Nothing was going to stop Bryce Hegarty from scoring as they record the try for Western Force.

51'

Gareth Simpson sets up the try.

51'

Western Force decide to make a substitution, with Tim Anstee getting some game time.

49'

Western Force decide to make a substitution, with Rahboni Vosayaco being replaced.

49'

Conversion

Sam Gilbert adds the two points for Highlanders.

49'

Try

The defence are desperately trying to hold out here but it was to no avail as Sam Gilbert dots the ball down from close range.

47'

Spellbinding play by Mitch Hunt is finished off with a try.

47'

Highlanders decide to make a substitution, with Ayden Johnstone getting some game time.

45'

Highlanders decide to make a substitution, with Ethan de Groot being replaced.

45'

The ball swings towards the posts but floats to the right, Bryce Hegarty will have to re-adjust the radar.

44'

Try

The defence are desperately trying to hold out here but it was to no avail as Tom Horton dots the ball down from close range.

43'

Tom Horton makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

41'

The second half kicks off.

40'

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

41'

The right post denies Sam Gilbert from adding the extras.

41'

Try

The pick and go results in a try for Highlanders as Mitch Hunt goes over.

40'

Fabulous play by Highlanders has led to Mitch Hunt being able to wriggle through a gap.

40'

That's a great try assist by Aaron Smith.

39'

Conversion

Bryce Hegarty does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.

36'

Try

A perfectly weighted kick allows Zach Kibirige to score the try.

35'

Gareth Simpson sets up the try.

35'

Max Hicks comes on for Highlanders.

31'

Fabian Holland leaves the field.

31'

Yellow Card

Mitch Hunt (Highlanders) is shown a yellow card

28'

Trouble here as Bayley Kuenzle breaches the defence.

28'

Penalty Goal

The touch judges raise their flags as Sam Gilbert kicks the penalty goal.

27'

Highlanders make a substitution with Rhys Marshall coming on.

16'

Highlanders make a substitution with Andrew Makalio coming off.

16'

Conversion

Sam Gilbert converts the try.

15'

Try

Jonah Lowe scores the try from close range.

14'

Spellbinding play by Aaron Smith is finished off with a try.

14'

A gap opened in the defence and Thomas Umaga-Jensen took full advantage.

13'

Penalty Goal

Bryce Hegarty makes no mistake with that penalty goal attempt.

12'

A gap opened in the defence and Toni Pulu took full advantage.

11'

Angus Wagner comes on for Western Force.

Tom Robertson leaves the field.

Penalty Goal

Bryce Hegarty kicks the penalty.

We are underway as the referee blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Highlanders v Force 
  
 Round 4 
  
 Sat 18th March 2023, 07:35pm PDT 
  
 Invercargill Rugby Park

Points Flow Chart

Highlanders win +8

Time in lead

Mins in lead

60%

% Of Game In Lead

33%

32%

Possession Last 10 min

68%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Callan

82'

43 - 35

Amone

79'

43 - 30

Gilbert

43 - 25

77'

Renton

41 - 25

76'

Gilbert

36 - 25

71'

Lowe

34 - 25

70'

Gilbert

29 - 25

61'

Withy

27 - 25

60'

Poolman

57'

22 - 25

Kuenzle

52'

22 - 25

Hegarty

51'

22 - 23

Gilbert

22 - 18

49'

Gilbert

20 - 18

47'

Horton

43'

15 - 18

Half Time

Hunt

15 - 13

40'

Hegarty

36'

10 - 13

Kibirige

35'

10 - 11

Hunt

10 - 6

28'

Gilbert

10 - 6

27'

Gilbert

7 - 6

15'

Lowe

5 - 6

14'

Hegarty

12'

0 - 6

Hegarty

0 - 3

Start

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

3.5

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

4.3

Entries

Attack Profile

Highlanders

Force

More Less

Defence Profile

Highlanders

Force

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

72%

59%

3-6 secs

11%

23%

6+ secs

11%

Rucks Won

103

Highlanders vs Force Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Highlanders face off against Force in Super Rugby Pacific Round 4 on Sat 18th March 2023 at Invercargill Rugby Park. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 02:35. In South Africa it’s at 04:35 SAST, 15:35 NZST in New Zealand, 13:35 AEST in Australia and 19:35 EST in the US.

Highlanders won the last encounter but Force are in the best form of their last 5 games.

Table Standings

Heading into the fixture the two sides are separated by just 1 place in the league table with Force in 9th and Highlanders in 10th underlining just how tight this match could be.

Highlanders vs Force Squads

The official squads for Highlanders vs Force will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.