They dominated a lot of the early interval of the sport at Forsyth Barr Stadium earlier than struggling to maintain out the surging Australians.
The Brumbies led by two factors with 4 minutes to play earlier than they scored a lineout strive by way of Lachlan Lonergan, and Noah Lolesio put the sport out of attain with a difficult conversion.
Sam Gilbert kicked a comfort penalty on the buzzer to at the very least snaffle a bonus level for the Highlanders.
It was arduous to highlight precisely the place the Highlanders let this one slip.
They created some good possibilities and defended effectively when it was required as they led 11-7 at halftime.
However they spent an excessive amount of of the second half on the again foot, and made some poor choices at occasions.
In equity to their opponents, the Brumbies bought the job performed when wanted, and flourished within the second half after a protracted spell specializing in defence.
It was, to be trustworthy, a fairly chaotic and unpredictable first half laced with half-breaks and half-opportunities.
The Brumbies have been initially dreadful – as in the event that they have been nonetheless on the aircraft – whereas the Highlanders seemed sharp within the early exchanges.
After Gilbert had missed an early penalty then instantly made one other when the Highlanders snaffled the turnover off the publish, the primary strive got here and it was a number of enjoyable.
Folau Fakatava arrange the assault after breaking free from the clutches of some Brumbies forwards.
All-energy No 8 Nikora Broughton, who had a whale of a half as he started a interval standing in for the injured Hugh Renton, hacked forward a free ball and confirmed exceptional tempo to beat two of his team-mates for the strive.
The Highlanders have been taking part in at tempo, impressed by Fakatava and he-is-everywhere fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, and something appeared potential.
Only a pity they might not discover the leading edge to show their dominance into factors.
It virtually appeared unfair when the Brumbies, having lastly adjusted to Dunedin time and regrouped by way of some glorious defensive work, capitalised on a interval of stress to attain their very own strive by way of Tom Wright.
That gave the guests a lift they usually seemed extra threatening the remainder of the way in which.
The Highlanders made a few duff choices however defended effectively, led by captain Billy Harmon’s frantic 17-tackle first-half effort.
A second Gilbert penalty and a few Brumbies accidents, most importantly to star centre Len Ikitau, despatched the house crew to the break feeling confident-ish.
What the Highlanders didn’t want straight after halftime was to see obscenely quick winger Corey Toole get put right into a sliver of house for the primary time all sport . . . oh.
Toole took the patch of open grass and set fireplace to it as he raced to an in-and-out attempt to give the Australians their first lead.
When Lolesio added a penalty to make it a six-point sport, and the Highlanders promptly dedicated a few irritating turnovers, the temper beneath the roof turned flat.
Enter Harmon, probably nonetheless stinging from being dropped final week after a minor disciplinary problem.
Nothing was on when he bought the ball. There have been 5 Brumbies defenders head of him.
What did he do? Ran by way of all of them to attain.
The conversion restored the lead for the Highlanders however one other Lolesio penalty switched issues once more, setting the stage for a tense last 10 minutes.
A number of of these minutes have been wasted by reset scrums – elite rugby nonetheless must kind that out – earlier than the actual crunch stage arrived.
The Brumbies bought inside 5m of the road. Turnover. Then a lineout. And the dagger strive.
The Highlanders are on the highway subsequent week to play the Chiefs in Hamilton.
The scores
Brumbies 27
Tom Wright, Corey Toole, Lachlan Lonergan tries; Noah Lolesio 3 con, 2 pen
Highlanders 21
Nikora Broughton, Billy Harmon tries; Sam Gilbert con, 3 pen
Halftime: Highlanders 11-7.
