ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Friday Feb 22, 2019

Brutal hit changes complexion of game in frantic contest between Highlanders and Reds

A young Reds team put in a great shift to push the Highlanders all the way in Dunedin, but ultimately it was the home side that came out on top in a thrilling opening match of round two of Super Rugby. A late try pulled things out the fire for the hosts for a 36-31 win.

ADVERTISEMENT

It was back and forth all match as the Reds looked in a good position for an away win late in the contest, but Dillon Hunt’s try with six minutes to go proved the difference.

Brad Thorn’s Reds will be buoyed by the performance, and it certainly impressed at least one interested spectator.

One of the most dramatic moments of the match came in the 49th minute when the Highlanders were leading 29-17 and had a great chance to score out wide and extend their lead, but Tei Walden dropped the ball as he was demolished in a questionably brutal looking tackle from winger Chris Feauai-Sautia.

The ball was hacked downfield and some brilliant interplay led to big Izack Rodda, whose father passed away two days ago, diving over to bring the Reds back into the game.

ADVERTISEMENT

Walden left the field and after taking a closer look at the hit, it was ruled that it was not illegal and the game continued. To his credit, Feauai-Sautia stayed with Walden on the floor until medics arrived to take care of him.

The match was in the balance until Walden, after returning to the field, played a part in setting up Hunt’s crucial try, taking the hosts into the lead for a win they will be relieved to have pulled off.

Related Articles

  • 42 WEEKS AGO

    South African Kurt-Lee Arendse receives limited...

  • 42 WEEKS AGO

    Montage of HUGE hits and brilliant tries...

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Just Jonny Wilkinson smashing people



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Jack Crowley drops the ball on dime for brilliant Munster try in URC Final

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    WATCH: World class offload from James O’Connor Leads To Long Range Reds Try

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Leinster up and running with two incredible tries inside the first five minutes

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Chiefs Score The “Best Team Try” In Super Rugby History

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    La Rochelle centre Seuteni produces other worldly offload in dominant victory

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Watch: Cheslin Kolbe Dominates Sebastian Cancelliere with back-to-back big tackles

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Ben Curry's World Cup hopes dashed as he becomes the latest victim of the crocodile roll

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Australian rugby player banned for 5 years after assaulting referee

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Anthony Watson comes within seconds of a Tuilagi haymaker

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    South African Panel Debate Apparent ‘Clean Cut’ Red Card In Interesting Debate

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 1 HOUR AGO

    Barbarians Vs World XV highlights

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Silly Skill From Toulouse Fullback Highlights French Confidence

  • 14 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea Moment Of Magic In Super Rugby Aotearoa

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    'Armchair athletes' berate Arundell's seriously impressive bench press

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Worcester Warriors - The End

View All

Funnies

  • 3 HOURS AGO

    Munster Rugby loving life in Cape Town Following URC Final Victory

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: La Rochelle Players Gate Crash O’Gara Interview

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: Stade Rochelais Coaches With All-Time Coaches Box Celebration

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Stephen Jones’s deleted rugby 7s article leads to hilarious wikipedia update

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: DHL Stormers Celebrate Munster Victory In Style

View All

Amateur

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    John Afoa breaks record on return to Super Rugby

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Harry Potter to ‘disapparate’ to Australia

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Steve Hansen makes statement following Folau selection

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    O'Gara gives honest response on Ireland job in passionate interview

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Australian rugby player banned for 5 years after assaulting referee

View All