Harry Wilson caught the eye with a moment of magic in the build-up to a Reds try during their 35-30 defeat against the Highlanders in Friday’s Super Rugby Pacific encounter in Dunedin.
The Reds made a fantastic start and were holding a 7-0 lead during the game’s early stages when they launched an attack from a lineout close to their own try-line in the 12th minute.
Wilson ran onto a pass from Fraser McReight off the back of the set-piece and breached the first line of defence with ease. He soon found himself on the Reds‘ 10-metre line where he sold Mitch Hunt an outrageous dummy.
The Reds number eight then progressed into the Highlanders‘ half where he got a pass out to James O’Connor, who was hauled in by the cover defence close to the touchline, just outside the home side’s 22, but he managed to offload to Tate McDermott.
The visitors’ scrum-half’s progress was eventually halted but he managed to free his arms to get a pass away before quick hands from Josh Flook and Mac Grealy saw the ball reaching Jake Upfield, who crashed over for what can best be described as a Try of the Season contender.
🔴 Harry Wilson sets up a try for Jake Upfield with a superb dummy in the Reds' clash against the Highlanders! #SuperRugbyPacific #HIGvREDpic.twitter.com/sTzxx6wW0Z
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) May 26, 2023
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Tom Lynagh added the extras to both Reds tries but the Highlanders struck back via five-pointers from Jona Nareki and Hugh Renton, which were converted by Sam Gilbert, before Suliasi Vunivalu crossed for a try on the stroke of half-time which meant the visitors held a 21-14 lead at the interval.
Lynagh slotted two penalties to increase the Reds’ lead but the Highlanders narrowed that gap when Saula Mau scored their third try on the hour-mark.
That set up a tense finish and the home side took the lead for the first time when Connor Garden-Bachop went over for another converted try in the 67th minute.
Despite that score, the Reds did not panic and they thought they had won the match when Lynagh slotted his third penalty five minutes later.
The Highlanders need a response to save their Super Rugby Pacific season and that came in the game’s dying moments when Folau Fakatava crossed for the match-winning try.
Video credit: Super Rugby Pacific
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