In a late super rugby showdown, the Western Force fell 39-31 to the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin as second-half tries and a long-range Reesjan Pasitoa penalty swung the contest. The Force had led at halftime and were looking to build off their maiden victory, but Caleb Tangitau’s double and Pasitoa’s late kick produced the hosts’ second win of the season. The visitors scored five tries through Vaolini Ekuasi, Jeremy Williams, Hamish Stewart, Carlo Tizzano and George Bridge but left Dunedin without the losing bonus point they chased.
Super Rugby: How the game turned
The scoreboard read 39-31 when the final whistle blew after a frantic second half that saw the lead change repeatedly. The Highlanders’ comeback was sparked by clinical finishes from their back three and a decisive shift in momentum midway through the second half. Jonah Lowe finished with a brace for the home side, while Tangitau’s second try pushed the Highlanders clear on the hour mark before a turnover by Soane Vikena set up Pasitoa’s long-range penalty that proved the match-winner.
The Force’s fightback included a dramatic restart sequence that saw Kurtley Beale feed George Bridge for a powerful try, and Carlo Tizzano cross from an attacking maul to keep the visitors in contention. Hamish Stewart’s 50-20 provided the Force with crucial territory, and Ben Donaldson produced strong work with both boot and ball in hand to help tilt momentum. A pick-and-drive try awarded to Jeremy Williams under referee Ben O’Keefe added to the visitors’ tally but ultimately was not enough to close the gap.
The Highlanders’ back three combined in threatening fashion, with Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and other finishers creating the space that allowed Tangitau and Lowe to find the tryline. The result denied the Force a losing bonus point and handed the Highlanders a morale-boosting second victory of the campaign.
Immediate reactions and voices from the park
Timoci Tavatavanawai, centre, Highlanders, captured the mood in a post-match quote: “It’s great for us after a chaos week. I really feel for our coach but we’re grateful that we have him for the next few years. ” His words underlined the emotional lift for the home dressing room after a tense finish in Dunedin.
On-field moments were decisive: a massive turnover that led to Pasitoa’s penalty, the Highlanders’ electric back-three interplay that created Tangitau’s scores, and the Force’s series of attacking phases that produced five tries. Each phase is now being dissected by coaches and players as both teams move forward in the super rugby calendar.
Quick context
The Highlanders’ victory ended a difficult run of form and gave the side a second win of the season after earlier struggles. For the Force, a chance to claim back-to-back wins in New Zealand for the first time since 2008 slipped away late in the match.
What’s next
Both clubs leave Dunedin with clear questions to address: the Highlanders will seek to build on the momentum from this comeback win, while the Force must regroup after surrendering a halftime lead and missing a losing bonus point. The clubs head into their next fixtures with momentum and concerns sharpened by the finish — and the wider super rugby campaign will watch how each side responds to this high-stakes encounter in the weeks ahead.
