The Highlanders claimed a crucial 31-26 victory over the NSW Waratahs in Dunedin, capitalising on ill-discipline and defensive lapses to hand the Australians a 13th straight defeat in New Zealand.
The Highlanders stormed to a 21-0 lead inside 20 minutes through tries to Jonah Lowe, Caleb Tangitau and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, with Lowe later adding a second before halftime.
Despite playing much of the match with 14 men after Timoci Tavatavanawai was sin-binned and Jona Nareki sent off, the Highlanders held on as the Waratahs left their comeback too late.
The loss leaves NSW’s finals hopes hanging by a thread, while the Highlanders boosted their own campaign with a hard-fought home win.
