Highlanders beat Force 32-20 in Super Rugby
(Mainichi Japan)
DUNEDIN, New Zealand (AP) -- Defending champions the Highlanders conceded two early tries before recovering to beat the Western Force 32-20 Friday in Super Rugby to move atop the table at the start of the sixth round.
The Highlanders were shocked by tries to fullback Dane Haylett-Petty and former Wallabies backrower Ben McCalman, both converted by South African flyhalf Peter Grant, giving the Force a 14-0 lead after nine minutes.
They struggled back on level terms with tries by winger Patrick Osborne and flanker Dan Pryor that left the teams 14-14 at halftime. It wasn't until the 76th minute that the Highlanders made the game safe with their fourth try to replacement Jason Emery.
They were then denied a bonus point try in injury time to Ash Dixon because of a knock-on 80 meters downfield.
