Highlanders rookie rues errors in loss to Sharks

Rookie Highlanders first five Robbie Robinson gave himself a tough mark after his Super 14 starting debut against the Sharks at Carisbrook on Saturday night.

The Highlanders lost their fifth game from six starts against the previously winless Sharks, going down 30-16 despite having the better of much of the game.

Robinson, who was surprisingly promoted to the No 10 jersey on the team's return from Africa, was ruing mistakes that had put pressure on his team.

"I'm definitely not happy with it. There were too many little errors like kicking the ball out when we were in our own half. That's pretty crucial because teams will put you under the pump for the next 10 minutes and that's tough – you use a lot of energy on defence," he said.

"I'll definitely go back and have a look and work hard during the week, see what happens with team selections (this) week."

However, the 20-year-old Southlander was being a little tough on himself with a review coloured by the disappointment of losing a game the Highlanders very much wanted to win.

He was generally assured in his biggest occasion at this level and will be better for the experience. Whether Highlanders coach Glenn Moore decides to continue with him against the Lions this week remains to be seen.

"It's definitely a step up from Air New Zealand Cup – fast and it was my first 80 (minute game) in a while," Robinson said.

"It's good to get it out of the way but you want to bank those ones at home. It was huge throughout the week, we wanted to take points out of this – it's tough."

The Highlanders dominated the first half but trailed 10-6 at the break when the Sharks scored from their only visit into the home team's 22m.

There was plenty of doubt over impressive Springbok hooker Bismarck du Plessis' try against the posts but referee Jonathon White believed he had seen the grounding clearly and only asked television match official Colin Hawke whether he could find a reason not to award the try.

Hawke had another strong influence on the game when Fetu'u Vainikolo looked to have scored a try in the corner with five minutes to go, which could have pulled the Highlanders level.

It looked as likely as the du Plessis effort, but did not get the nod from Hawke, and Moore was clearly restraining himself after the game when he elected not to comment in depth on either incident.

With sharpshooting Sharks halfback Ruan Pienaar kicking everything, the Sharks were able to take the advantage in the second half, moving ahead decisively when Stephan Terblanche scored with 20 minutes to go.

Ben Smith gave the Highlanders hope late in the piece and the Vainikolo decision could prove season-defining.

The Highlanders arguably had the better of the scrum and lineout, but the Sharks got more numbers to the breakdown. The visitors created plenty of overlaps during the second half and the Highlanders were left barely hanging on in defence.

Israel Dagg was impressive on the counter-attack for the Highlanders, while Adam Thomson looked eager to make amends for his disciplinary indiscretions which saw him sit out the Bulls game.

Kendrick Lynn is looking increasingly comfortable at centre, even in a rejigged backline.

Highlanders coach Glenn Moore continues to live through his own personal groundhog day.

"It was frustrating. We probably had the ascendancy in the set piece and had a lot of ball, stole a bit of theirs in the first half and made a lot of play in the first half with not a lot of reward."

FINAL WHISTLE

Sharks 30 (Bismarck du Plessis, Stefan Terblanche, Adrian Jacobs tries; Ruan Pienaar 3 pen, 3 con), Highlanders 16 (Ben Smith try; Israel Dagg 3 pen, con). Halftime: 10-6

- © Fairfax NZ News