12 May 2019

Highlanders hang on to pip Jaguares

6:38 am on 12 May 2019

Two second-half Josh Ioane penalties were enough for the Highlanders to secure a 32-27 Super Rugby win over the Jaguares in Dunedin.

Matt Faddes

Matt Faddes Photo: Photosport

The Jaguares jumped out to an early 7-0 lead when centre Matias Moroni crossed in the 13th minute, but the Highlanders hit back with a flurry of four tries in a 17-minute spell.

James Lentjes, Matt Faddes, Sio Tomkinson and Liam Coltman all crossed to give the home team a comfortable 26-13 lead at halftime.

But the Jaguares intelligent kicking game, and some defensive lapses from the Highlanders, kept the visitors back in the game.

Well-taken tries from Marcos Kremer and Ramiro Moyano, and the accurate boot of Joaquin Diaz Bonilla meant the Jaguares narrowed the gap to just five points in the 64th minute.

However, Ioane's two penalties were enough for the Highlanders to hold on and secure their fifth win of the season, a much-needed filip ahead of their upcoming two-game South African stint against the Lions and the Stormers.