Long Eden Park hoodoo put to rest
By Brent Edwards

At last! The Highlanders became the first Otago-based team to win at Eden Park for 26 years when they beat the Blues 20-13 last night.

Heroic defence, the goal kicking of Tony Brown and the magic of Jeff Wilson were the planks of this famous victory before a crowd of 42,000 in a match crackling with intensity. The Highlanders now have 33 competition points in the Super 12 competition but the raised arms and embraces at the final whistle were about more than competition. They were about the breaking of a hoodoo and the acquisition of the Gordon Hunter Trophy, which means so much to so many of the players. Twenty minutes after the final whistle, ecstatic Otago fans were still indulging in the time-honoured chant - Otagooooo - as they savoured the moment. "Gordy would have been pretty happy about that," distinguished Auckland journalist Don Cameron observed in the press box.

Most certainly he would, and the delight among the Highlanders was encapsulated by Wilson as he raced to share the moment with his team-mates. And but for Wilson, it could have been added to those if-only games which have dogged Otago and Highlanders teams at Eden Park since 1976. Four minutes into the second spell, Wilson, whose rugby antennae seems so much sharper than that of ordinary players, reacted quickly as he drove Willie Walker over the line for the Highlanders' only try. Not only he he drive him him over, but he pushed him infield to ensure Walker, who had run strongly from the 22, remained in the field of play.
Twelve minutes later, Wilson made what may have been an even more vital contribution when he saved a certain try by Carlos Spencer. Spencer speculated the loose ball ahead from 60m out and he seemed set to force it close to the posts for a converted try which would have levelled the scores. That is, until a blond flash appeared and beat him to the touchdown. Wilson, sensing the gravity of the moment, sprinted from his post on the right wing and won the dive for the ball. It was a critical moment, perhaps the critical moment of a game which crackled with endeavour and physicality, but creaked with mistakes. The Highlanders applied a simple game plan in the slippery conditions and Tony Brown's boot - five penalties from seven attempts - gave them a useful 15-3 half-time lead.

The Highlanders soldiered on despite a disrupted backline. Aisea Tuilevu left the field in the opening minutes with a suspected fractured wrist while Brown limped off early in the second spell with a strained hamstring.
But this was a match won by utterly committed defence and by a well-drilled forward pack astutely marshalled by Taine Randell. Randell won quality line-out ball, made tackle after tackle and demanded even greater effort as the Blues, roared on by the crowd, battered at the Highlanders line in the second spell.
Anton Oliver seemed to be in discomfort for much of the match but, while he may have been sore, there was no way he was going to leave the field. This match, and the trophy at stake, meant too much to him.
Kelvin Middleton was unyielding in his tackling and driving, as was the front row, Carl Hoeft having a rare old battle with former team-mate Kees Meeuws.

Byron Kelleher had his first kick charged down by Mark Robinson but, as the intensity of the contest increased, so did Kelleher's sharpness. He took on added responsibility, and thrived, in the absence of Brown.

The Blues lost their unbeaten home record for the season and, while they tried everything, they could not break down the Highlanders defence. The first half by dominated by the whistle of Paul Honiss, 15 penalties and numerous mistakes contributing to a messy, stop-start spectacle. The Blues launched an onslaught from the kick-off and profited by an early Spencer penalty, but that was their only scoring in the first spell.
The Highlanders regained their composure and, with the Blues conceding regular penalties at rucks and mauls, Brown converted the territory into points. He kicked penalties after 11, 15, 20, 23 and 33min, the shortest from 32m, the longest from 44m.

The Highlanders made an emphatic start to the second spell, Walker scoring in the fourth minute when the ball was moved wide from a scrum. He gathered Iliesa Tanivula's long pass on the 22, ran strongly and was driven over in the tackle of Mils Muliaina by Wilson. It was smart work by Wilson, who not only added his weight but ensured Walker remained in the field of place as he forced the ball. That gave the Highlanders a handy 20-3 lead after 4min, but the Blues had reduced that to seven points later.

Spencer goaled a penalty and then Kees Meeuws smashed over for a try following a drive on a line-out take on a drive by Vula Maimuri. But, try as they might, the Blues could not add to their score and, at the end, the Highlanders celebrated a victory they will long cherish.

Scores. -
Highlanders 20 (Willie Walker try, Tony Brown 5 penalty goals); Blues 13 (Kees Meeuws try, Carlos Spencer conversion and 2 penalty goals).
Match statistics: Line-outs, Blues, 13-11; rucks and mauls, Blues, 54-38; penalties, Blues, 15-10. Kicking: Brown, 5-7; Walker, 0-2; Spencer, 3-5. Half-time: 15-3. Crowd: 42,000. Referee: Paul Honiss (Waikato).