Difficult week for the Highlanders losing head coach Aaron Mauger

A difficult week, for the Highlanders losing head coach Aaron Mauger for "family reasons", ended with Lima Sopoaga kicking them to an 18‑15 win against the Reds in Brisbane last night.

It was the Highlanders first win in the Australian city since 2005, their first ever at Suncorp Stadium, and ensured they bounced back from last week's humiliating 41‑12 loss to the Waratahs in Sydney.

Locked at 15‑15 with time ticking down, Sopoaga slotted an easy match‑winning penalty goal three minutes from time, after Reds lock Izack Rodda was penalised for a high tackle.

In other matches played, the Chiefs beat the Waratahs 39‑27 the Brumbies beat the Bulls 38-28 while the Lions defeated the Stormers 26-23.

Defending champions, Crusaders are leading the points table with 50 points, the Lions are in second place with 40 points, the Waratahs are sitting in third place with 31 points while the Hurricanes are fourth with 45 points.

Source:Stuff.co.nz

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