Debutant winger Taniela Filimone scored two early tries to lead the Highlanders to a 43-20 win over Fijian Drua, snapping a winless streak and lifting the team to seventh on the Super Rugby Pacific table.
After a strong start, the Highlanders held off a spirited Drua comeback attempt early in the second half, with Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens’ intercept and a yellow card to Simione Kuruvoli swinging momentum back to the hosts.
Highlanders captain Hugh Renton praised the team’s defensive grit, as they finished with 19 unanswered points to seal the win. The Drua remain winless away since 2023.
