Rugby union
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
THEY came to Wagga without their three best players, but Otago Highlanders were able to come away with a close win in the Super Rugby trial at Equex on Saturday night.
The Highlanders were without All Blacks Ben Smith, Aaron Smith and Malaki Fekitoa, but still took home the honours against a full-strength ACT Brumbies outfit.
After a slow start, where the Brumbies got out to a 19-point lead at half-time, the Highlanders charged back into the contest to score 24 unanswered points to take the win.
After a disappointing start the to match coach Jamie Joseph thought his team responded well.
"I wasn't happy with the first half and we weren't able to get our game going," Joseph said.
"It was because the Brumbies were superior in the first half, but I was proud of how we finished the game with fresh legs and new energy.
"The players showed the type of heart we are renowned for."
With another trial match on Thursday night, the Highlanders brought a big squad to Wagga.
It was some of the lesser known players that stood up when their team needed them, with all of their points coming from players that started on the bench.
"I wasn't really about us bringing our best players, but about giving everyone an opportunity to express themselves," Joseph said.
"Some players really stood up and that's a real positive."
One sour note was losing three players to concussion throughout the game.
Outside centre Shaun Treeby came off the worse for wear and had to be stretched off after taking a sickening blow while attempting to make a tackle.
He was taken to hospital for further tests, and was later joined by two teammates.
Joseph was expecting Wagga to be a bigger city, but enjoyed the atmosphere.
"It's been good, it's very small and reminds me of home," he said.
The Highlanders will be in Wagga until Wednesday before traveling to Melbourne to face the Rebels, in their third pre-season trial.