The Highlanders fought hard for 60 minutes to stay in touch with the Western Force at the Queenstown event centre, however two tries late in the match saw the game slip away for the home team.  A crowd just under 6000 were entertained for the full 80 minutes, however the final result went the visitors way.  The final score was 41-27 to the Western Force. Western Force 41 (R Cross 2 Tries, C Shepherd 2 Tries, J O'Connor 1 Try, J Turner 1 Try, J O'Connor 4 con, 1 Pen) Highlanders 27 (C King 1 Try, S Setephano 1 Try, F Vainikolo 1 Try, M Berquist 4 pen).