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Highlanders 30 Rebels 31
FULLTIME
Even if the Highlanders lose from here, they'll still go through to the playoffs with a bonus point.
Highlanders lineout, and they just need to close this out. But Hardwick wins a penalty!
The siren goes - what will the Rebels do? They can take the lineout and knock the Highlanders out, but they don't!
To'omua finds touch, and the Highlanders are through!
79 mins
Slight delay, Mau has stayed down hurt. We're ready to continue though.
Marshall throws and the Highlanders bring it under control. Coombes-Fabling tries to take the line on, but he's tackled.
They throw an intercept though, and the Rebels are close! They build towards the 22, but Wilkin is called for not releasing and gives away a penalty.
77 mins
Koroi kicks off, straight to Worth. The ball goes back to Gordon, and he clears to find touch.
76 mins -TRY REBELS
Hanson throws, Haylett-Petty wins it and they drive. Powell has the ball at the back, and goes to Gordon, who goes to Kellaway.
Kellaway is tackled, but Powell is there, and he kicks along the ground and the bounce is perfect for Worth!
Worth gathers, and runs it in to score! The Rebels lead now!
To'omua to convert, and he's hit the post!
HIG 30 REB 31
73 mins
Highlanders lineout, Marshall throws, Renton wins it.
Fakatava clears with a box kick, and the Rebels can build again.
Orr makes a break, and wins advantage. The Rebels go wide, and Kellaway breaks on the wing.
He kicks, but it's deflected by Koroi. We'll go back for the penalty and it'll be a Rebels lineout.
71 mins
Rebels scrum. Powell feeds, and goes to To'omua off the back. Jooste kicks through the line, but the Highlanders kick it straight back, to Gordon.
Gordon finds touch for a lineout.
69 mins
The Highlanders just need to close this out. Fakatava clears with a box kick after the kickoff, and Coombes-Fabling gets up to win it.
Fakatava kicks long, but Gordon lets it dribble over the dead ball line.
68 mins - TRY HIGHLANDERS
Rebels scrum sorry, they were playing under advantage. Powell feeds and goes to Gordon.
They go wide, but Coombes-Fabling intercepts. Fakatava breaks out of nowhere!
He finds Harmon outside him and the Highlanders are hot on attack! They go to the right through Koroi, who draws in the last man, and finds Paea outside him - and he scores now!
The Highlanders are back in front!
Can Koroi convert this time? He can!
HIG 30 REB 26
65 mins
Hanson throws, but the Rebels lose the ball trying to run it. Eloff the culprit.
That'll be a Highlanders scrum.
64 mins
The Rebels set the scrum, and win a penalty as the front row collapses, Mau again.
To'omua clears for another lineout.
63 mins
To'omua kicks off, and Umaga-Jensen takes it.
Fakatava clears, but the ball ends up back with the Highlanders. Koroi kicks over the top, and Paea chases, but he fumbles it.
Rebels scrum.
62 mins - TRY HIGHLANDERS
Gordon clears after the restart, and the Highlanders try to go quickly, but Jooste is there to put Mikaele-Tu'u under pressure!
The Highlanders scramble, before Fakatava clears to Vaihu. Vaihu is hurt, so finds Gordon who kicks back.
Coombes-Fabling kicks back, and Powell kicks it again.
Koroi runs this time, as Solomona has a run. Mikaele-Tu'u has a go down the right - and he breaks, before getting the ball back inside him to Fakatava - and he scores!
Can Koroi convert? Nope, he misses from relatively right in front.
HIG 23 REB 26
59 mins - TRY REBELS
Coombes-Fabling clears, and the Rebels will have a lineout inside the Highlanders' half.
Hanson throws, and Wells wins it. They go to the backs as Kellaway finds Vaihu, who kicks and wins it after a deflection.
Gordon puts Eloff into a gap, before the Rebels go wide! To'omua throws a cutout pass to Ripley, and he fumbles - but regathers in the air, dives, and scores! What a try!
To'omua to convert, but pushes it to the left of the posts.
HIG 18 REB 26
56 mins
The Highlanders kick off, Koroi on as a sub for Banks - but it's out on the full!
Rebels scrum on halfway. Powell feeds, and goes to Jooste at first receiver, but he's tackled.
Canham runs, before Gordon kicks over the top. Coombes-Fabling takes it and calls for the mark.
55 mins - TRY REBELS
Hanson throws and the Rebels attack the short side through Philip.
They go to the backs through Gordon and To'omua, before Jooste goes himself - and he scores in the corner! The Rebels lead for the first time!
To'omua to convert from the left sideline, and does.
HIG 18 REB 21
52 mins
The Highlanders give away a free kick, and that'll be a Rebels scrum.
Powell feeds, and the Rebels win a penalty against Saula Mau.
That'll be a lineout in the corner.
51 mins
The Highlanders change their whole front row, which brings Daniel Lienert-Brown on for his 100th game.
Hanson throws, but Powell spills the ball from his forwards.
50 mins
Powell is on as a sub for Tuttle. He feeds and goes to Vaihu at first receiver.
Gordon kicks, and Coombes-Fabling wins it but goes into touch.
Rebels lineout.
49 mins
Banks clears for a lineout.
Makalio throws and Evans wins it before Harmon runs. Mikaele-Tu'u breaks on the left. Van Vugt loses it forward though, as Gordon goes to the air.
Smith knocks on trying to play the ball though.
Rebels scrum
47 mins
Lentjes has stayed down, he was tipped above the horizontal by Canham at the ruck.
The TMO will have a look at it.
No card, but it'll be a penalty against the Rebels.
47 mins
Vaihu stays down with a knee complaint, but he's back on his feet.
That'll be a Highlanders scrum in the meantime. Smith feeds, and goes to Umaga-Jensen at first receiver.
Smith clears, and Vaihu wins it in the air. The Rebels have the ball as Ripley takes the ball inside the Highlanders half.
The Highlanders turn it over, and Banks clears into touch for a lineout.
46 mins
Highlanders scrum. Smith feeds, and Mikaele-Tu'u runs off the back as the Highlanders look to get out of danger.
They get to their own 22, before Smith box kicks for Jooste. Gordon goes wide to Kellaway, but the Highlanders defend.
Gordon goes to the air, but the Highlanders knock on. The Rebels go wide to Ripley, who runs down the right, before they go back to the left.
Kellaway kicks for Vaihu, but he knocks it on.
43 mins
Uelese throws and Canham brings it down. Carter breaks off the back of the lineout. The Rebels are close, but Uelese knocks it on after a To'omua offload.
Highlanders scrum.
42 mins
Evans knocks on from the kickoff, and the Rebels will have a scrum to start the half.
The Highlanders give away a penalty as the front row angles in, so that'll be a lineout in the corner.
41 mins
We're ready to go for the second half, can the Highlanders close this out? To'omua kicks off, and we're back underway!
HALFTIME
The Highlanders lose the ball after the kick-off, so the Rebels have a scrum inside the Highlanders' half. Seconds left in the first half.
Tuttle feeds, and the Rebels look to use it, but it's knocked on.
The siren has gone, but the Highlanders run it. Timu nearly breaks, before a wide ball is thrown to Paea.
He offloads to Lentjes and the Highlanders are in the 22. They go wide to the left, and Lentjes has another go as he gets to the 5m line.
De Groot has a go, as does Makalio as they go back to the right. Timu goes again, but he's knocked it on.
That's halftime!
39 mins
Smith wants the points from the penalty. Banks lines up the shot at goal.
And he lands it.
HIG 18 REB 14
38 mins
Highlanders lineout after Vaihu clears into touch from the kickoff.
Makalio throws, and the Highlanders drive. Makalio has the ball at the back, and goes to Smith.
Paea runs inside the 22, before the Rebels give away a penalty.
36 mins - TRY REBELS
Leota has passed his HIA. Highlanders lineout, Makalio throws, and Evans wins it.
They go to Smith, who throws an intercept pass to Vaihu! There's no one in front of him - and he races away to score!
To'omua converts, and it's a one-point game!
HIG 15 REB 14
35 mins
Makalio throws, but he's called for not straight.
That's a Rebels scrum then. Reset needed as the front row collapses.
They set again, but the Highlanders win a free kick. Smith calls for another scrum.
They go to the backs, as Banks goes wide to van Vugt, who kicks back infield but the Rebels get there first.
Tuttle clears into touch.
30 mins
To'omua kicks off, Dixon wins it. Smith clears with a box kick down to halfway.
Wilkin nearly breaks the line, but then gives away a penalty for not releasing.
That'll be a Highlanders lineout.
29 mins - PENALTY HIGHLANDERS
The TMO wants to check for foul play on that Ainsley bump off from Uelese.
Uelese manages to put his head into Ainsley's shoulder. Nothing in this, but a penalty still goes in favour of the Highlanders?
Banks lines up the shot, and converts for three more.
HIG 15 REB 7
28 mins
Banks kicks off, before Gordon clears the ball into touch. Coombes-Fabling thinks about the quick throw in, but decides against it.
Highlanders lineout, Makalio throws. Dickson wins it and goes to Smith, before Mikaele-Tu'u runs at the line.
Ainsley bumps off Uelese, and he's down hurt.
Canham turns the ball over for the Rebels, before To'omua nearly loses it. The Rebels keep it, as Gordon clears for a lineout in the Highlanders' half.
25 mins - TRY REBELS
Uelese throws, and Canham wins it as the Rebels drive.
Uelese has the ball at the back, before he darts for the line and scores!
Can To'omua convert? He does, just.
HIG 12 REB 7
23 mins
Leota leaves for a concussion test, Hardwick replaces him.
Smith feeds, but the Rebels win a penalty against Ainsley.
To'omua clears for a lineout.
23 mins
To'omua kicks off, and Coombes-Fabling sends it into touch for a Rebels lineout.
Uelese throws and Wells wins it. Fa'amausili runs, but he loses the ball in the tackle.
Highlanders scrum.
21 mins - TRY HIGHLANDERS
Makalio throws, and Evans wins it again.
Lentjes takes the ball inside the 22, before de Groot has a go. Advantage for the Highlanders, so Banks tries a kick over the top for Paea's wing.
The Highlanders are on the 5m line, before Dickson gets a short ball and he scores!
Banks lines up his second kick, this one from the right hand side. He strikes it well, but hits the post!
HIG 12 REB 0
19 mins
Another lineout, Makalio throws and Evans wins it. Mikaele-Tu'u takes the ball inside the 22, as Lentjes surges forward as well.
They go to the backs, as Timu breaks the line and is tackled short of the line, but throws an offload straight to the Rebels!
Tuttle clears the ball into touch for another lineout.
18 mins
Highlanders lineout, Makalio throws, but Fa'amausili gives away a penalty for playing the man in the air.
Banks clears for another lineout.
17 mins
Highlanders scrum inside the 22. Smith waits to feed, but the front row goes down. Reset.
They go again, but the Rebels win a free kick.
To'omua clears.
14 mins
Slight delay as Dickson receives treatment, before Banks clears for a lineout.
Makalio throws, and the Rebels knock it on trying to intercept. Advantage Highlanders.
The ball's lost, so we'll have a scrum.
13 mins
To'omua clears, before Mikaele-Tu'u has a run to take the ball over halfway.
The Highlanders have advantage, before Umaga-Jensen slips through! He offloads to Lentjes, who offloads to Smith, but the ball's behind him and he knocks on, so we go back for the penalty.
11 mins
Makalio throws and the Highlanders bring it down through Lentjes. Smith goes to the air and Ripley wins it for the Rebels in their own half.
The Highlanders turn it over, before Dickson kicks through the line. To'omua grounds the ball to force a dropout.
10 mins
That'll be a Highlanders scrum to restart. A penalty is called against Gibbon in the front row, and Banks clears for a lineout.
8 mins
Uelese throws, and the Rebels win it through Wells to start their attack.
Tuttle and Kellaway combine to get inside the Highlanders' half, as the Rebels go wide. Fa'amausili and Gordon both have runs before they're tackled.
Kellaway kicks through the line, and the Rebels have the ball in the right corner on the 5m line.
They go to the left and have advantage as Wells gets the ball away to Vaihu. He gets the ball back inside him to Jooste - and he scores!
Hang on, the TMO intervenes for a potential knock-on. There's a slight fumble by Tuttle in the lead up, and the try is disallowed!
4 mins
To'omua kicks off, and Umaga-Jensen brings it down for the Highlanders.
Smith clears with a box kick, but it's out on the full for a Rebels lineout.
3 mins - TRY HIGHLANDERS
Makalio throws, and Dickson wins it as the Highlanders look to use the ball. Mikaele-Tu'u takes the ball to the 22, before Banks throws a wide ball out to van Vugt.
The Highlanders straighten the attack up the middle, before de Groot breaks upfield! He's tackled short of the 5m line, but Leota turns the ball over!
To'omua clears down to Coombes-Fabling. Van Vugt tries the up and under, but the Rebels win possession in their own half.
Wells knocks on though, and the Highlanders have it back through Timu. They go to the backs, as Banks finds Umaga-Jensen - and he draws in the last man to find van Vugt!
He dives for the left corner and grounds the ball, but did he stay in? Kellaway and Wilkin have come across to make the tackle, but it looks like his shin might have gone into touch?
This is close, but the on field decision stands, and the try is awarded! Van Vugt's first Super Rugby try!
Banks looks to convert from the left touchline, and he does!
HIG 7 REB 0
1 min
Vaihu fields the kick, before Gordon clears for the first lineout of the day.
KICKOFF
We're away! Marty Banks kicks off to start the match.
3:58pm
And Michael Wells does the same for the Rebels, two teams' fates rest on their performance today.
3:57pm
Aaron Smith leads the Highlanders onto AAMI Park, wearing their alternate strip.
3:54pm
Both sides are back in the sheds, going through their final preparation.
3:30pm
Good afternoon! We're about half an hour away from finding out just who will take that last playoff spot.
The Highlanders have it all in their hands, but the Western Force need just one slip up to sneak into the top eight.
Kick off is in around 30 minutes
*********
Kia ora, good afternoon and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of this Super Rugby Pacific clash between the Highlanders and Rebels, from Melbourne's AAMI Park.
After nearly 14 complete rounds, the race for the playoffs comes down to the final game, with the Highlanders looking to complete the set of Kiwis in finals football.
Even with just four wins so far this season, the Highlanders can sneak into the top eight with at the very least a bonus point today, and set up a quarter-final against the Blues at Eden Park next week.
Failure to gain that point, though, will see Western Force pip the Highlanders for that last playoff place, thanks to their victory over the Hurricanes in Perth last night.
A red card to Sam Gilbert has seen the Highlanders forced into a reshuffle, as Marty Banks takes the No.10 jersey as one of a number of changes to the side from last week's defeat to the Waratahs.
The Rebels meanwhile have nothing to play for, guaranteed to finish no higher than 10th, with just three wins from their first 13 games.
But the idea of spoiling the party for a Kiwi side will undoubtedly be a huge motivation for the Rebels, as they look to at the very least finish their season on a high in front of their home fans.
TAB odds: Highlanders $1.40, Rebels $2.60
Teams:
Highlanders: 1-Ethan de Groot, 2-Andrew Makalio, 3-Jermaine Ainsley, 4-Bryn Evans, 5-Josh Dickson, 6-James Lentjes, 7-Billy Harmon, 8-Marino Makaele-Tu'u, 9-Aaron Smith (c), 10-Marty Banks, 11-Rory van Vugt, 12-Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 13-Josh Timu, 14-Fetuli Paea, 15-Liam Coombes-Fabling
Reserves: 16- Rhys Marshall, 17-Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18-Saula Mau, 19-Sam Caird, 20-Hugh Renton, 21-Folau Fakatava, 22-Vilimoni Koroi, 23-Denny Solomona
Rebels: 1-Matt Gibbon, 2-Jordan Uelese, 3-Pone Fa'amausili, 4-Matt Philip, 5-Josh Canham, 6-Michael Wells (c), 7-Brad Wilkin, 8-Rob Leota, 9-James Tuttle, 10-Carter Gordon, 11-Glen Vaihu, 12-Matt To'omua, 13-Andrew Kellaway, 14-Lukas Ripley, 15-Nick Jooste
Reserves: 16-James Hanson, 17-Cameron Orr, 18-Cabous Eloff, 19-Ross Haylett-Petty, 20-Richard Hardwick, 21-Joe Powell, 22-Daniel Maiava, 23-George Worth