Updated May 27, 2017 23:15:03

Photo: Highlanders centre Malakai Fekitoa dives toward the goal line against the Waratahs. (AAP: Adam Binns)

Poor discipline and defence have again proven costly for New South Wales, whose Super Rugby finals hopes have taken another hit with a 44-28 loss to the Highlanders in Dunedin.

It was another poor night for Australian teams against New Zealand opposition, with the Rebels beaten 41-19 by the undefeated Crusaders at AAMI Park in Melbourne.

The Waratahs' dreams of topping the Australian conference dropped on Saturday when they surrendered a 14-13 half-time lead and conceded 17-straight points after the break.

The Highlanders scored six tries to four, capitalising on a one-man advantage early in the second half when they scored two while Waratahs lock Dean Mumm was in the sin-bin.

Mumm, who earlier this week announced he would retire at the end of this year, was given a yellow card for a dangerous tackle, but looked a little unlucky.

A converted try to replacement half-back Jake Gordon cut the deficit to nine points and lifted the Waratahs in their push for a bonus point.

Those were quickly extinguished with Daniel Lienert-Brown and Lima Sopoaga touching down for the home team, before Gordon scampered away after taking a quick tap to notch his second five-pointer.

The loss leaves the Waratahs second in the Australian conference behind the Brumbies, who can stretch that lead by beating the Jaguares on Sunday morning (AEST) in Buenos Aires.

Down 10-0 after 17 minutes, the Waratahs produced some sparkling passages of play to hit the front by the break.

Full-back Israel Folau crossed after beating Highlanders flanker Elliot Dixon with some quality footwork.

Winger Taqele Naiyaravoro pounced on a superb cut-out pass from half-back Nick Phipps to crash his way over for a try just before the break, with the conversion to five-eighth Bernard Foley giving the Waratahs the half-time lead.

The Highlanders quickly regained the lead through hooker Liam Coltman after a forward drive from the penalty awarded after Mumm was binned.

Winger Tevita Li won the chase to a delightful chip from centre Malakai Fekitoa to expand the Highlanders' lead before Mumm returned.

Rob Thompson added a try after the Waratahs were back to 15 men, as the Highlanders sprinted to a 30-13 advantage.

AAP

Topics: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, new-zealand

First posted May 27, 2017 20:27:40