The Highlanders have battled back to claim a much-needed 27-24 win over Fijian Drua in their Super Rugby Pacific clash at Suva on Saturday.
Playing in front of a passionate sold-out crowd of 15,000 at the National Stadium, the southerners maintained their composure to overcome an 11-point deficit and keep their playoff hopes alive.
The locals got off to the ideal start, with Vinaya Habosi breaking down the left wing and linking with Frank Lomani, who stepped inside the final defender to finish a 60m movement under the crossbar and send the crowd into hysterics with just three minutes expired.
The visitors wasted no time responding, with Sam Gilbert cashing in on a simple overlap from a close-range scrum to level the score.
Habosi was back in the action five minutes later, when a turnover at a ruck deep in Drua territory evolved into another scinitllating counterattack, with the big wing scorching 75m down the left touchline to put his team back in front.
That lead quickly grew to 11 points, as first-five Teti Tela cashed in on yet another Rabosi surge to grubber in behind the defensive line for Kalaveti Ravouvou to pounce on for their third try.
The Highlanders clawed their way back through Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, who overpowered a pair of Drua defenders to dive in under the bar with just under 10 minutes left in the half.
The second half was a tightly contested affair, with Mitch Hunt chipping away at their deficit with a penalty, before Rhys Marshall put the finishing touches on a clinical maul from a 5m lineout to give the Highlanders their first lead of the game with less than a quarter to play.
The Drua threw caution to the wind through the final stages of the game but errors let them down, as the Highlanders' kicking game ensured they were able to pin their opponents deep and ultimately close out the contest.
The Highlanders move on to face the Reds at Brisbane next weekend, while Fijian Drua travel to Wellington to face the Hurricanes.
Highlanders 27 (Sam Gilbert try 7min, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u 32min, Rhys Marshall try 60min; Mitch Hunt 3 cons, 2 pens) Drua 24 (Frank Lomani try 2min, Vinaya Habosi 14min, Kalaveti Ravouvou try 23min; Teti Tela 3 cons, pen). HT: 17-24.
