Clinical Highlanders beat Stormers

DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 28: Ben Smith of the Highlanders on the attack during the round seven Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Stormers at Forsyth Barr Stadium on March 28, 2015 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Rob Jefferies/Getty Images)

DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 28: Ben Smith of the Highlanders on the attack during the round seven Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Stormers at Forsyth Barr Stadium on March 28, 2015 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Rob Jefferies/Getty Images)

Published Mar 28, 2015

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Powerful winger Waisake Naholo scored two tries as the Otago Highlanders produced a fast-paced display to overcome the Stormers 39-21 in Super Rugby.

Juan de Jongh crossed for the opening try in the 19th minute but the Highlanders responded with 31 unanswered points as they racked up their fourth win in six matches this season and hand the Stormers (4-2) a second straight defeat.

The Stormers began with purpose, swiftly recycling possession before de Jongh took an offload from the ever-impressive South African flanker Schalk Burger, making his 100th Super Rugby appearance, and darted over.

Flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis converted but the lead didn't last long as the hosts responded with a breathless period of play with ball in hand that ended with scrumhalf Aaron Smith scoring a try with a sneaky effort.

With the Stormers defending on their own try line, Smith shrewdly touched the ball against the base of the post for the score as the surprised South Africans watched on.

De Jongh then tossed away a second try when his misplaced pass was easily intercepted by Naholo, who showed his speed by accelerating away over 55 metres to score.

The Fiji-born former sevens player then showed the other brutal side of his game as he bulldozed over the helpless Stormers fullback Cheslin Kolbe for a third try just before the halftime break to put the hosts 24-7 ahead.

His fellow Highlanders winger Patrick Osborne ensured the try bonus point with another physical effort at the start of the second period which flyhalf Lima Sopoaga converted to maintain his perfect display of five from five with the boot.

Stormers replacement Michael Rhodes picked and crossed for a try after a series of rucks on the hour mark to end the one-way scoring but they always looked short of mounting a comeback as the game opened up favouring the hosts.

Highlanders replacement Daniel Pryor easily broke free from a tired defensive line for the fifth try, with de Jongh's late second try a mere consolation. – Reuters

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