Highlanders 39 - 31 Western Force

Full time

07 Mar 2026

Super Rugby Pacific

Stage: Regular Season Round 4

Forsyth Barr Stadium

Highlanders vs Western Force head to head

🎉 1

👏 1

🔥 1

The Highlanders secured a thrilling 39-31 victory over the Western Force at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Veveni Lasaqa opened the scoring with a try, followed by conversions and penalties from Cameron Millar, who had a standout performance. The Western Force responded with tries from Vaiolini Ekuasi and Jeremy Williams, keeping the match competitive. Despite a strong comeback from the Force, including late tries from Carlo Tizzano and George Bridge, the Highlanders maintained their lead. Caleb Tangitau's two tries were pivotal in the Highlanders' success, showcasing their attacking prowess. Reesjan Pasitoa's late penalty ensured the Highlanders clinched the win. This match highlighted the resilience and skill of both teams in a high-octane Super Rugby clash.

Broadcasters

Where to watch in: New Zealand, United Kingdom

Weather

Temperature: 21.6°C (Feels like 22.5°C) Condition: PartlyCloudy Wind: 8.1 km/h, gusting to 14.9 km/h Humidity: 68% Cloud Cover: 46%

Highlights

Events

Kickoff
9'

Try

Veveni Lasaqa · Highlanders

5 - 0
10'

Conversion

Cameron Millar · Highlanders

7 - 0
14'

Penalty

Cameron Millar · Highlanders

10 - 0
20'

Try

Vaiolini Ekuasi · Western Force

10 - 5
22'

Conversion

Ben Donaldson · Western Force

10 - 7
27'

Try

Jonah Lowe · Highlanders

15 - 7
28'

Conversion

Cameron Millar · Highlanders

17 - 7
35'

Try

Jeremy Williams · Western Force

17 - 12
36'

Conversion

Ben Donaldson · Western Force

17 - 14
39'

Try

Hamish Stewart · Western Force

17 - 19
40'

Conversion

Ben Donaldson · Western Force

17 - 21
Halftime 17 - 21
Second Half
46'

Substitution

Nic Dolly on for Brandon Paenga-Amosa · Western Force
46'

Substitution

Sef Fa'agase on for Tom Robertson · Western Force
51'

Substitution

Kurtley Beale on for Divad Palu · Western Force
53'

Try

Jonah Lowe · Highlanders

22 - 21
54'

Conversion

Cameron Millar · Highlanders

24 - 21
54'

Substitution

Sean Withy on for Nikora Broughton · Highlanders
54'

Substitution

Misinale Epenisa on for Harry Johnson-Holmes · Western Force
54'

Substitution

Franco Molina on for Darcy Swain · Western Force
58'

Try

Caleb Tangitau · Highlanders

29 - 21
59'

Substitution

Henry Robertson on for Nathan Hastie · Western Force
59'

Substitution

Daniel Lienert-Brown on for Ethan de Groot · Highlanders
63'

Substitution

Max Burey on for Ben Donaldson · Western Force
63'

Substitution

Soane Vikena on for Jack Taylor · Highlanders
63'

Substitution

Tanielu Tele'a on for Timoci Tavatavanawai · Highlanders
63'

Substitution

Sefo Kautai on for Angus Ta'avao · Highlanders
64'

Try

Carlo Tizzano · Western Force

29 - 26
65'

Substitution

Will Stodart on for Oliver Haig · Highlanders
66'

Try

George Bridge · Western Force

29 - 31
68'

Substitution

Adam Lennox on for Folau Fakatava · Highlanders
68'

Substitution

Reesjan Pasitoa on for Cameron Millar · Highlanders
69'

Try

Caleb Tangitau · Highlanders

34 - 31
70'

Conversion

Reesjan Pasitoa · Highlanders

36 - 31
70'

Substitution

Will Harris on for Vaiolini Ekuasi · Western Force
76'

Penalty

Reesjan Pasitoa · Highlanders

39 - 31
Fulltime 39 - 31

Player ratings

Highlanders

15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens 8.1
14 Caleb Tangitau 9.0
13 Jonah Lowe 8.8
12 Timoci Tavatavanawai 8.5
11 Jona Nareki 7.3
10 Cameron Millar 7.2
9 Folau Fakatava 7.4
1 Ethan de Groot 6.7
2 Jack Taylor 7.3
3 Angus Ta'avao 6.7
4 Oliver Haig 7.2
5 Mitch Dunshea 6.6
6 TK Howden 7.0
7 Veveni Lasaqa 10.0
8 Nikora Broughton 7.5
16 Soane Vikena 6.4
17 Daniel Lienert-Brown 6.3
18 Sefo Kautai 6.5
19 Will Stodart 6.3
20 Sean Withy 5.7
21 Adam Lennox 6.6
22 Reesjan Pasitoa 7.0
23 Tanielu Tele'a 6.3

Western Force

15 Mac Grealy 6.2
14 Darby Lancaster 6.6
13 Divad Palu 6.1
12 Hamish Stewart 7.2
11 George Bridge 6.0
10 Ben Donaldson 7.1
9 Nathan Hastie 5.8
1 Tom Robertson 5.6
2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa 7.4
3 Harry Johnson-Holmes 6.1
4 Jeremy Williams 6.6
5 Darcy Swain 5.9
6 Nick Champion de Crespigny 5.8
7 Carlo Tizzano 6.4
8 Vaiolini Ekuasi 7.5
16 Nic Dolly 5.7
17 Sef Fa'agase 5.9
18 Misinale Epenisa 6.3
19 Franco Molina 5.3
20 Will Harris 6.1
21 Henry Robertson 5.7
22 Max Burey 5.9
23 Kurtley Beale 6.0