The Highlanders have suffered a tough loss to the Sharks to open their 2020 Super Rugby season with a streaker that appeared midway through the game likely the only thing the Otago team were smiling about.
The Highlanders were humbled 42-20 in Dunedin last night after falling behind 27-3 at halftime.
That deficit at the midway point could've been a lot less but the Sharks managed to score three times in the final 10 minutes of the opening 40 to give themselves both momentum and a substantial lead.
Shortly after the break, the two sides packed down for a scrum 10 metres inside the Sharks' half when a man-made his way onto the Forsyth Barr Stadium pitch and proceeded to undress.
The man quickly became nude and left players and referee Angus Gardner bemused as they laughed off the awkward situation.
TVNZ News reports one player asked Gardner why he didn't tackle the streaker to which the official simply said, "no chance, I think I'd come off second best".
Scenes didn't get much prettier for the Dunedin crowd, with the Highlanders silenced every time they attempted a comeback in the second half.
The result means the Highlanders begin their 2020 with a loss after having a bye last week, while the Sharks are two-from-two as they turn their attention to the Hurricanes in Wellington for round three.
The Crusaders take on the Chiefs at 6.05 tonight while the Blues battle the Waratahs at 8.15 tonight.
The Lions will play the Reds at 1.05am tomorrow while the Stormers and the Bulls play at 3.15am tomorrow and the Hurricanes will take on the Jaquares at 9.40am tomorrow.
[Source:TVNZ]
