A second half assault has earned the Highlanders a comprehensive 38-21 win over the Hurricanes in Super Rugby Aotearoa's unofficial finale in Dunedin on Saturday.
Playing in front of nothing but empty seats at an earlier kick-off time, the southerners reeled off three quick tries at the start of the second stanza to snap the Hurricanes' five-game unbeaten run and provide a fitting curtain call to the competition.
The victory was the ideal way to celebrate Aaron Smith's 150th Super Rugby game, and the halfback did the milestone justice with a commanding performance, playing behind a Highlanders pack that - led by an immense shift from Jack Whetton - had the wood on its counterparts.
It also denied the Hurricanes the chance to leapfrog the Blues and claim second place in the final standings.
The match was played at a frenetic pace with the sides locked at 14-14 at halftime, after scoring two tries each.
Vince Aso and Jamie Booth crossed for the visitors, who had two other tries ruled out after review by referee Ben O'Keeffe with Aso found to have put a foot on the touchline, while Reed Prinsep's came from a forward pass.
Replacement centre Ngane Punivai and Highlanders co-captain Ash Dixon, who was playing his 100th Super Rugby match, replied for the home side.
The Highlanders took a 10-point lead early in the second half with a Josh Ioane penalty and Michael Collins' try before O'Keeffe over-ruled another Hurricanes try, to Chase Tiatia, for obstruction.
O'Keeffe then awarded a penalty try to the Highlanders and gave Hurricanes loose forward Ardie Savea a yellow card for a professional foul and Mitch Hunt capitalised on the man advantage when he sprinted away to put the game beyond doubt.
Peter Umaga-Jensen grabbed a consolation try for the Hurricanes with seven minutes remaining to ensure they did not suffer their biggest defeat to the Dunedin-based side.
