Super Rugby
Highlanders lose it late against Lions
May 10, 2015
Lions 28-23 Highlanders (video available in Australia only)

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph reckons his team simply ran out of gas in their 28-23 Super Rugby loss to the Lions in Johannesburg. The New Zealand side suffered their fourth loss from 11 games after blowing a 20-3 lead at Ellis Park.

The Lions came roaring back with three tries to secure their seventh win from 12 games and sit two points outside a play-offs berth. Joseph's team remain fifth overall but with their top-six berth under threat from several teams as they eye further tour games against the struggling Cheetahs and Force.

He wasn't too critical of the second-half slump, believing it wasn't a mental meltdown and that the Lions had done the same things to other teams this season.

"We knew that it was going to be a difficult second half and obviously altitude kicks in for our players, fatigue sets in," he told journalists. "I'm not sure it's got anything to do with game plans or tactics, it's just came down to ticker in the end really, and levels of fitness after all that travel."

The Highlanders scored tries in the first half to flanker Gareth Evans and centre Malakai Fekitoa, the latter a superb solo break from close to the ruck well inside his half. However, a dropped goal from fullback Ben Smith was their only second-half scoring as the Lions forwards lifted a gear.

The home side produced a fine mix of scrum and maul power, with some audacious backline attacks, creating tries to wing Courtnall Skosan, flanker Jaco Kriel and reserve back Harold Vorster.

© AAP

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices