The Highlanders have scored three unanswered second half tries to complete a comeback win against Moana Pasifika in Dunedin.
The match was evenly poised throughout most of the first half with both sides showing their physicality in the early stages.
William Havili kicked two early penalties to put Moana Pasifika 6-0 up, however the home side scored the first try of the match after some nice footwork close to the line from Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
The Highlanders might have found their new fullback in the form of Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens who scored two tries in his debut match for the Highlanders and gained 96 metres off 11 carries.
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens left the Blues to complete a move to the Highlanders in the off season.
The Highlanders fullback also played a key role in setting up the second try as Saula Ma’u crashed over to give the Highlanders 14-6 lead.
New signing Rhys Patchell came close to scoring in his debut match for the Highlanders as he pounced on a loose pass by Julian Savea, kicking the ball ahead but ultimately the ball rolled away from the Welsh international.
Both sides struggled in some key areas of the game with Moana missing 14 tackles in the first half and the Highlanders were poor in their set piece, losing three line-outs.
The game tightened up just before half time with referee Brendon Pickerill issuing a yellow card to Fabian Holland and Moana capitalised on the man advantage with a try from Jacob Norris.
Nigel Ah Wong made an instant impact in his return to Super Rugby with a try before half time thanks to a superb pass from Danny Toala to give Moana a two-point lead at halftime.
Otago University students celebrating ‘O-week’ came out in strong numbers for the Highlanders and filled up The Zoo to provide a vibrant atmosphere under the roof in Dunedin.
This seemed to boost the Highlanders as they produced a fine second half display which featured three unanswered tries to take the game away from Moana.
Converted tries from Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Sam Gilbert pushed the Highlanders lead out to 14 points.
Moana needed to dig deep in the final 10 minutes but the Highlanders held on and produced an end-to-end try in the 72nd minute to seal the win.
The move started with Sean Withy selling the Moana defence with a dummy 10 metres out from his own 22 to link up with Jona Nareki before Folau Fakatava flinged an outrageous back door pass to Billy Harmon who shifted it on for Sam Gilbert to finish off the fantastic Highlanders move.
Highlanders 35 (Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens 2, Saula Ma’u, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Sam Gilbert tries; Sam Gilbert 5 cons)
Moana Pasifika 21 (Jacob Norris, Nathan Ah Wong tries; William Havili 3 pens, 1 con)
Halftime: 14-18
SHARE ME