Highlanders. Photo: Photosport
The indisciplined Highlanders have lost 30-17 to the Force in a rare defeat for New Zealand in trans-Tasman Super Rugby Pacific contests.
Three yellow cards proved costly for the visitors in Perth on Saturday as the Force opened up a 24-3 halftime lead and clung on to record their third win of the season.
It was just the second time a New Zealand team has lost a match to Australian opposition in 15 such matches this year, with the other coming in round two, when the Brumbies pipped the Blues.
The Highlanders never gave themselves a decent chance after losing forwards Pari Pari Parkinson, Ethan de Groot and Marino Mikaele-Tu'u to yellow cards before the interval.
Tries to Bryce Hegarty and former Crusaders winger Manasa Mataele, and a penalty try, pushed the Force clear.
First five-eighth Hegarty was accurate with the boot, finishing the match with 18 points.
With their full contingent restored after the break and the Force hit with two yellow cards, the Highlanders created tries to Connor Garden-Bachop and Andrew Makalio.
However, their hopes stealing victory stalled as Hegarty slotted two late penalties to push the home side to safety.
The teams share the same 3-5 win-loss record to sit just inside the top-eight playoff berths through nine rounds.
Both are away to Australian opposition next week, with the Highlanders to face the Waratahs and the Force to meet the Reds.
- RNZ