Vainikolo stars in Highlanders win
February 9th, 2008, 2:34 am Hobbies News
Evans, the oft-injured All Black pivot, returned to Dunedin with his new franchise the Blues and gave the 1200-strong crowd a decent taste of what theyll be missing now that hes trading his wares in the City of Sails.
By halftime Evans had scored 16 points with two tries %26mdash; one a straight missed tackle 10m out, the other from a charge down of an attempted Mike Delany clearing kick %26mdash; and three conversions and he looked pretty comfortable amongst his new company of star performers.
He was also getting a friendly reminder of the outrageousness of his decision to head back north by a small section of the terrace which took delight in suggesting he spends his free time engaged in activities which cannot be printed here.
However, there was enough from his Highlanders counterpart Daniel Bowden to suggest the southern franchise will not be completely lost at playmaker.
Outweighing Evans contribution after the break was left winger Vainikolo, the sort of player who could get the fans streaming back through the Brooks turnstiles.
Bowden was on hand to finish off a scorching chip and regather from Vainikolo before halftime and he laid on a nice try to fullback Mike Delany %26mdash; who had replaced James Wilson before the game after the Southlander rolled an ankle when he tripped over his dog %26mdash; just after the break.
Ezra Taylors try midway through the second half put the Highlanders back on level terms at 21-all after the Blues had led 21-7 at halftime and then the dangerous Vainikolo put the team ahead when he ran 65m to score untouched.
It was scintillating stuff, but it was little surprise for Highlanders coach Glenn Moore who first spotted the Northland draft pick early in the Air New Zealand Cup.
%26quot;He never was a secret for me. Hes a good player,%26quot; Moore said.
The second half turned out to be a Highlanders benefit.
They dominated at lineout time, particulary with Isaac Ross snaffling the oppositions throw at the front, and gradually earned cleaner ball from the scrum.
Possession and territory swung heavily in the Highlanders favour and under the new rules, that will generally translate into five-pointers.
What many expected to be a dispiriting final hitout before the Super 14 for the Highlanders was a confidence-boosting performance ahead of the opener against the Reds in Brisbane next weekend.
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