Replacement halfback Folau Fakatava has showed his explosive ability off the bench, inspiring the Highlanders to a 27-19 comeback win over Queensland Reds at Brisbane.
Brought on to replace All Blacks veteran Aaron Smith with their side trailling 19-13 during the second half, the Tongan-born supersub quickly stamped his mark on the contest, providing a deft no-look, back pass for winger Scott Gregory to score beside the posts.
Moments later, Fakatava's elusive running earned a penalty near the Reds 22 and from the attacking lineout, his forwards drove to the tryline, where he dived over from the ruck.
Both tries were converted by Marty Banks to put the southerners beyond a converted try and the Reds could only reflect on what should have been, after the Highlanders were reduced to 13 men early in the game.
After 12 minutes, lock Josh Dickson - returning from suspension for a high tackle against the Hurricanes three weeks ago - earned another yellow card for the same offence.
Four minutes later, No.8 Marino Mikaele Tu'u was dispatched for upending Reds fullback Jock Campbell in a tackle and for the next six minutes, the southerners were two men down.
The home side never really took full advantage of that numerical advantage. Campbell cruised through the undermanned defensive line for their opening try, but that was their only reward, as Smith and first-five Mitch Hunt expertly managed the game for the Highlanders.
On the half hour, Reds first-five Lawson Creighton kicked into the in-goal area, where flying centre Josh Flook outjumped Hunt to score, but the 12-point lead didn't last long, before Highlanders midfielder Thomas Umaga-Jensen evaded five tacklers to answer from close range.
Hunt had missed two very kickable penalties that could have given his side a halftime lead, but as the siren sounded, he coaxed one through the uprights and his team were just 12-10 behind at the break.
He converted another to put the Highlanders ahead early in the second half, but Reds lock Ryan Smith stumbled over the reclaim the lead, before Fakatava and Banks closed the game out.
The result was a body blow to the Reds, who stay in fifth, but will slide to sixth, if the Waratahs beat Moana Pasifika on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Highlanders leapfrog Western Force and Melbourne Rebels into the top eight, although the Western Australians have two games in hand and faces the southerners next Friday in a key match-up.
Highlanders 27 (Umaga-Jensen, Fakatava & Gregory tries, Hunt conversion & 2 penalties, Banks 2 conversions) Queensland Reds 19 (Campbell, Smith & Flook tries, Creighton 2 conversions)
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