Fletcher Smith struck a last-minute penalty to secure a 50-47 win for the Highlanders in a Super Rugby warm-up game against the Waratahs in Sydney on Thursday.

With both teams selecting powerful lineups for this final pre-season game, there was no shortage of free-flowing rugby as the Highlanders initially romped into a 33-18 half-time lead, with Ben Smith scoring a brace of tries.

However, the Landers failed to maintain that intensity in the second half, with the Waratahs scoring three unanswered tries at one point to draw the scores level at 40-40.

The game then looked headed for a 47-47 draw after another try each was exchanged, but Smith ultimately stepped up to strike an angled penalty that secured the win for the visitors.

Waratahs – TBC
Highlanders – Tries: Liam Squire, Aaron Smith, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith (2), Kayne Hammington, Rob Thompson. Conversions: Lima Sopoaga (4), Fletcher Smith (2). Penalty: Smith.

Waratahs – 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Reece Robinson, 13 Israel Folau, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Harry Jones, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Michael Wells, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Jack Dempsey, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Tom Robertson.
Subs: Hugh Roach, Paddy Ryan, David Lolohea, Sam Needs, David McDuling, Nick Phipps, Matt Lucas, David Horwitz, Senio Toleafoa, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Ned Hanigan, Brad Wilkin, Maclean Jones, Con Foley, Bryce Hegarty, Andrew Deegan/Mack Mason.

Highlanders – 15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Rob Thompson, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 James Lentjes, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Jackson Hemopo, 4 Tom Franklin, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Subs: Aki Seiuli, Craig Millar, Siosuia Halanukonuka, Guy Millar, Adrian Smith, Josh Dickson, Alex Ainley, Elliot Dixon, Gareth Evans, Dillon Hunt, Kayne Hammington, Josh Renton, Fletcher Smith, Sio Tomkinson, Teihorangi Walden, Matt Faddes, Pat Osborne, Jason Emery.

Photo: Highlanders Rugby