Photo highlights from the Super Rugby Pacific clash between the Hurricanes and Highlanders.
The Hurricanes all but ended the Highlanders hopes of reaching the finals after a nail-biting last gasp 24-20 victory at the Sky Stadium in Wellington after Hurricanes halfback Cam Roigard dived over to snatch victory away from the visitors.
The Hurricanes only led for less than 10 of the 81 minutes played but emerged victorious from a testing contest to solidify their place in the top six.
The instrumental Cam Roigard scored two second-half tries to lead the Hurricanes fightback. With the All Blacks No. 9’s 81st-minute winner coming after he thought he had passed up the last opportunity to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Highlanders Jonah Lowe was the pick of the visitors players scoring a double. The best of which came after Lowe raced 75 metres to score after Tanielu Tele’a bumped off Ngane Punivai to send his teammate Lowe racing down the right wing to score a sublime try.
Highlanders player Tavatavanawai was shown a yellow card midway through the first half for an ugly head-first tackle on Ruben Love which was felt all around the ground as the Hurricanes No. 10 lunged to move sideways however the Hurricanes failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage.
Hurricanes spent the vast majority of the second half camped inside the Highlanders half but they passed up chance after chance to take the lead to put the Highlanders away in what was a wasteful performance until Ruben Love's conversion in the 61st minute gave the Hurricanes the lead before Taine Robinson landed two kicks of his own to put the Highlanders back in front.
With the closing stages in sight the Highlanders looked like they would keep their playoff hopes alive until after 21 phases, Cam Roigard saw a gap and capitalised on the opportunity to burrow over under the posts. Match-winner Roigard clenched his fists and punted the ball in the air in celebration as the Hurricanes sealed victory.
Photos were taken for Speed Media AU / Icon Sportswire
Result:
Hurricanes 24-20 Highlanders
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