Hugh Renton of the Highlanders charges forward during the round nine Super Rugby Pacific match between Highlanders and Fijian Drua at Forsyth Barr Stadium, on Saturday, in Dunedin. Photo: Joe Allison / Getty Images
Winger Taniela Filimone scored a try double on debut, as the Highlanders escaped the Super Rugby Pacific cellar with a 43-20 win over Fijian Drua at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Filimone needed only two minutes to put his team on the front foot with his first try, and had another 10 minutes later to give the home side a firm grip on the contest early, on Saturday.
Trailing 17-3 at half-time, the Drua struck first after the restart and closed within four points, when winger Ponipate Loganimasi scored a try in the 51st minute, as the Fijians grabbed momentum back their way and a miracle comeback seemed in the making.
They seemed on the verge of snatching the lead, as they attacked wave after wave inside the Highlanders 22, but fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens plucked a long pass out of the air and kicked downfield.
As the Drua retreated desperately, halfback Simione Kuruvoli was yellow-carded by referee Nic Berry, leaving his team short-handed.
From the ensuing penalty and lineout, Highlanders hooker Jack Taylor plunged over to restore some comfort to his team's lead, as they rattled on 19 unanswered points and cruised to victory.
The Highlanders had not won since toppling the champion Blues in February, but all their losses have been in single figures, with several suffered in the final agonising moments.
"We've been speaking all week about getting back to our game and putting a few phases together, and we'd be alright," reflected captain Hugh Renton.
"On attack, when we found ourselves in their half, we did alright, but it was pretty pleasing on defence to have that many phases and get away with no points. They're obviously a quality side that score 3-4 outrageous tries a game, so we knew they were going to bring that."
This result catapults the southerners into seventh on the competition table, edging ahead of the Hurricanes and Blues, but two points outside the top-six playoff hunt. They visit the Chiefs next Saturday.
The Drua have now suffered defeat in their last 20 'away' games, since beating Moana Pasifika at Go Media Stadium in 2023, and remain at the foot of the table. They host NSW Waratahs on Saturday.
Kick-off was at 7:05pm Saturday 12 April.
Catch up on all the action with RNZ's live blog:
Team lists
Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Henry Bell, 3. Sosefo Kautai, 4. Will Stodart, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Oliver Haig, 7. Veveni Lasaqa, 8. Hugh Renton, 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jona Nareki, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 13. Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 14. Taniela Filimone, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Bench: 16. Jack Taylor, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Saula Ma'u, 19. Tai Cribb, 20. Nikora Broughton, 21. Adam Lennox, 22. Sam Gilbert, 23. Tanielu Tele'a
Fijian Drua: 1. Haereiti Hetet, 2. Mesulame Dolokoto (cc), 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Mesake Vocevoce, 5. Isoa Nasilasila, 6. Joseva Tamani, 7. Isoa Tuwai, 8. Elia Canakaivata, 9. Simione Kuruvoli, 10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11. Ponipate Longanimasi, 12. Inia Tabuavou, 13. Iosefo Masi (cc), 14. Selestino Ravutaumada, 15. Caleb Muntz
Bench: 16. Zuriel Togiatama, 17. Peni Ravai, 18. Samuela Tawake, 19. Leone Rotuisolia, 20. Vilive Miramira, 21. Philip Baselala, 22. Isikeli Rabitu, 23. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre
