Highlanders set the scrum and fling the ball to Nonu mid-field. Nonu bulldozes through the defence and is held up on the whitewash. Scrum five..

After a lull in play, the Highlanders are the ones who inject some excitement. Tamani sparks an attack down the short side, and they tear down the wing. A barrelling run by Tuiali'i brings the Highlanders to within a metre. They look to exploit the back-pedalling blue defence, but Matthewson plays the scrum-half without the ball, killing the attack. Yellow card.

Another penalty - Highlanders taking out the lifter in the line out. Hayward guides it over and returns the lead to four. No great excitement in the last ten minutes; a stream of penalties has kept the scoreboard ticking over.

A fourth penalty in seven minutes; this time Highlanders are guilty of obstruction. Hayward's kick slips wide of the uprights though.

Slade brings Highlanders back to within a point when Toby Lynn is penalised for hands in ruck.

Highlanders pinged for a truck-and-trailer just inside their half. Force opt for the posts, and Hayward returns the lead to four.

Alby Matthewson believes the ball has left the ruck, and hops over the top, impeding Smith. Referee disagrees with him and awards Highlanders a penalty. One point game.

Ben Smith tries to inspire his side with a terrific break early in the second half. He dances through a number of defenders and bursts through Cowan's challenge. Eventually he's brought to ground but Aaron Smith's pass is poor and Parker cant collect. Knock on, and Smith's good work comes to nothing.

Force have dominated the stats this half, with the majority of territory and possession, but have failed to make a big impact on the scoreboard. Force have a tendency to lose concentration in the second half, and if Highlanders can reduce the error count, they may well get the opportunity to steal the lead in the coming half. The experienced All Blacks will need to step up and lead their younger team mates. Some flashes of excitement from Highlanders, but Force looking the better side. Interesting forty minutes to come..

Strong finish to the half by the Force,racking up the phases in the Highlanders' twenty-two. They earn a penalty advantage and fling the ball outwide to capitalise on an overlap. But Ellison makes a big tackle that kills attacking momentum. They return for the penalty and opt for the posts, but Hayward's kick drifts wide.