Live: Highlanders v Western Force – Super Rugby Pacific

Photo: Photosport

The Highlanders gave coach Jamie Joseph something to smile about with a 39-31 Super Rugby Pacific win over Western Force in a 10-try thriller in Dunedin.

Winger Caleb Tangitau and centre Jonah Lowe both crossed twice for the home side, who trailed 21-17 at halftime and had to play the last 10 minutes with 14 players, after using up their substitutes bench through injury.

The win will provide some comfort for Joseph, who missed out on the vacant All Blacks head coaching role to Dave Rennie, after the race came down to two men.

After opening the season with victory over the Crusaders, the southerners had racked up losses to the Chiefs and Reds.

The Highlanders led 17-7 after 35 minutes, thanks to tries to flanker Veveni Lasaqa and Lowe, but the Force crossed twice in quick succession before the break.

Lowe put them back in front, after a storming Timoci Tavatavanawai run, before Tangitau crossed twice, with his double bisected by a try to Force winger and former All Black George Bridge.

The result ends the Highlanders’ forgettable run of six straight losses to Australian opponents.

Follow the live action here:

Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot (CC) 2. Jack Taylor 3. Angus Ta’avao 4. Oliver Haig 5. Mitch Dunshea 6. Te Kamaka Howden 7. Veveni Lasaqa 8. Nikora Broughton 9. Folau Fakatava 10. Cameron Millar 11. Jona Nareki 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (CC) 13. Jonah Lowe 14. Caleb Tangitau 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Bench: 16. Soane Vikena 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown 18. Sosefo Kautai 19. Will Stodart 20. Sean Withy 21. Adam Lennox 22. Reesjan Pasitoa 23. Tanielu Tele’a

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