Brook record intact - thanks to Wilson

14 from 14 at the House of Pain

By Brent Edwards
The Highlanders' Carisbrook record survives - just - after Jeff Wilson's genius enabled them to repel the Hurricanes 19-10 last night.

It was their 14th consecutive win at the ground and it was sealed by an extraordinary piece of sleight-of-hand by Wilson 3min from the end. Wilson gathered a chip ahead by Christian Cullen in his right hand 35m out and sprinted through the cover defence to score in the scoreboard corner. The crowd of 21,206 rose to Wilson, for it had just witnessed a rare piece of footballing skill, another chapter to add to the legend of the golden one.

The Highlanders had the match in a vice from that moment, but there were many anxious moments during a a match of bone-shaking intensity and many mistakes. The Highlanders scored two tries to one and had a clear territorial advantage, but they were unable to put the Hurricanes away before Wilson's timely intervention. They were disrupted around the rucks and mauls and, while the Hurricanes played to and beyond the letter of the law, it prevented the Highlanders gaining quick, clean possession.

There was a lot of ill-directed kicking in the first half and six dropped passes, a consequence of the dewy ball and the Hurrricanes' aggressive defence. But the Highlanders, despite their mistakes, displayed admirable tenacity against committed opposition. The Highlanders line-out worked well, Paul Miller broke the advantage line often from No 8 and Taine Randell marshalled the defence expertly as well as making many takes of his own. Byron Kelleher was put under all sorts of pressure from marauding Hurricanes' forwards and opposite Jason Spice and Brown, while typically gusty on defence, had a lean night with the boot, kicking only two out of six.

Paul Steinmetz tackled well in midfield, Ryan Nicholas made two or three surges but, like the other outside backs, had few chances. The kudos belonged to the Highlanders' forwards, who did the hard yards as a unit, particularly in the second half. Players like Simon Maling, Carl Hayman and Joe McDonnell did the hard yards, while Tom Willis made an immediate impact when he came on to play the last quarter. Jonah Lomu was heavily involved for the Hurricanes in the first half but had few chances in the second, Pita Alatini showed his stepping ability on occasions but they lacked regular opportunities.

The Highlanders battered at the Hurricanes line for the first 10 minutes, but their only reward was a handy penalty by Brown. The Hurricanes struck after 16min, Lomu scoring his first try of the season following a line-out. Concerted attacking gave Lomu space on the left wing and he stepped out of Walker's tackle and raced 22m to the line. Holwell's conversion, and a penalty from 36m after 23min, enabled the Hurricanes to lead 10-6 at half-time.

The Highlanders had struggled to get clean, go-forward ball, the Hurricanes expert at slowing down its delivery. The Highlanders camped inside the Hurricanes' 22 for the first 15min of the second spell, their reward a try after 4min by Ropati after Oliver and Kelleher had bashed ahead from a tap penalty. But Brown missed the conversion and two penalty attempts and the Highlanders could not establish the buffer they so desperately sought.

Wellington finally broke out of its own half and Pita Alatini almost scored after 20min, which could have been the turning point of the game. Alatini sped for the line and slithered over in the Rose Stand corner in Wilson's tackle but, after a long delay, video referee Neville McAllister was unable to determine whether it was a fair try and the Highlanders - to their immense relief - were awarded a 22 drop-out.

Walker gave the Highlanders some breathing space with a 27m penalty after 27min - Brown had left the field to have a cut behind his ear stitched - but the tension rose in the last 10min, with both sides making mistakes. Then along came Wilson with his piece of individual brilliance, which made the game safe and the Highlanders fans, so nervous a few minutes before, almost floated to the exits.

Highlanders 19 (Romi Ropati, Jeff Wilson tries; Tony Brown 2, Willie Walker penalty goals), Hurricanes 10 (Jonah Lomu try; David Holwell conversion, penalty goal).

Match statistics: Highlanders, 17-12; rucks and mauls, Highlanders, 47-45; penalties, Highlanders, 18-10. Kicking: Brown, 2-6; Walker, 1-2; Holwell, 2-2. Half-time: Hurricanes, 10-6. Crowd: 21,206. Referee: Kelvin Deaker (Hawkes Bay).