Live coverage has concluded, please click here for the full wrap.
Highlanders 57 Fijian Drua 24
FULLTIME - YELLOW CARD DRUA
There's a stop in play as the siren goes, and Gilbert has stayed down hurt after a clash in the air.
We'll check with the TMO, Canakaivata has taken out Gilbert's legs in the air after he fell.
Will this be a red card? Nope, it will be yellow though. There won't be any time for it to matter though, that's fulltime.
80 mins - TRY HIGHLANDERS
Bogado has left the field injured, so the Highlanders will finish with 14 - no one is fit enough to come on.
Meanwhile, the Highlanders turn the ball over after the kick-off through Lowe. Garden-Bachop frees Broughton, who kicks through the line, and Millar races away to score!
Can he convert his own kick? Yes he can!
HIG 57 FIJ 24
78 mins - TRY DRUA
Ravouvou kicks over the top with the Drua on attack. The bounce is kind and sits up for Ravouvou to gather, but Fakatava covers to make the tackle.
Ravouvou pops the ball up to Lomani, who darts over to score his second!
Lomani to convert, but can't hit the target.
HIG 50 FIJ 24
75 mins - TRY HIGHLANDERS
Taylor throws, and Bekhuis wins it as the Highlanders look to run.
Gilbert takes the line on again, as Garden-Bachop looks to step through the line when he has the ball.
Gilbert and Lowe combine on the left. Withy picks and goes before Paea breaks inside the 5m line.
The Highlanders go wide to Bogado's win - and he limps over for a try after picking up an injury!
That's 50 up, and two for Bogado. Gilbert to kick from wide on the right, but misses.
HIG 50 FIJ 19
72 mins
Highlanders scrum. Fakatava feeds, as they win advantage for a high shot on Paea at first receiver.
Fakatava kicks downfield, before play is called back for the penalty.
71 mins
Highlanders scrum now. Fakatava feeds, but the Drua get over it and turn it over.
They have advantage as well, before we stop for the penalty.
The Drua go quickly through Matawaly, who runs past halfway. The Drua go wide to Togiatama, who flirts with the sideline before Gilbert forces a knock-on.
69 mins
Drua scrum. Matawalu feeds, but the Drua front row goes down for a Highlanders penalty.
68 mins
Highlanders lineout. Taylor throws short to Fakatava, but he knocks on to give the Drua.
67 mins
Ikanivere throws, and the Drua bring it down. The Highlanders give away advantage for offside, and we go back for the penalty.
Drua lineout quickly, and they're on the front foot as they go to the backs, Vota carries strong towards the 22, but the Highlanders hold.
Broughton does well though, and wins a turnover.
64 mins
Jack Taylor replaces Apisai for his Super Rugby debut, and he's straight into a scrum.
Fakatava feeds, and goes to Gilnert as first receiver. Lowe kicks for the corner as the ball trickles into touch.
63 mins
Millar kicks off, and the Drua bring it under control.
The forwards go towards halfway, before Lomani kicks down to Garden-Bachop, who finds Bogado.
He goes wide to Lowe, who kicks deep to Ravataumada. Ravataumada runs it just outside of the 22.
The Drua break wide on the right, but there's a double knock-on from Ravataumada and Garden-Bachop.
60 mins - TRY DRUA
Drua lineout. Smith and Hunt are off, Fakatava and Millar come on.
Ikanivere throws, and they look to drive from the 22. Replacement halfback Matawau waits at the back of the maul, which creeps closer to the 5m line.
They do breakfrom the maul, as Vota goes, before Tela tries to dance through. Nasilasila picks and goes at the line, but he's tackled.
Advantage Drua, but Ikanivere picks and goes on the line, and he's over!
Tela converts.
HIG 45 FIJ 19
57 mins
The Drua kick off, and Lienert-Brown knocks-on after coming off the bench.
Drua scrum, Lomani feeds. He goes to the backs under advantage, but the Drua go nowhere, so we'll go back for the penalty.
Tela finds touch for a lineout.
54 mins - TRY HIGHLANDERS
Smith feeds again, and they win another advantage before going to the backs.
Paea hits the line hard, and offloads to Smith. Smith goes wide to Lowe, who dives for the corner and claims a try!
Gilbert to kick from the left, but can't get it on target.
HIG 45 FIJ 12
52 mins
Hunt is back up, looks like he was just winded in the tackle. The Highlanders call for the scrum from the restart.
Smith feeds, and they drive. The Highlanders have advantage as the drive goes down, so we'll have a penalty.
Should that have been a penalty try?
51 mins
Apisai throws, Tucker wins it. Smith goes to the backs.
Hunt is smashed, and loses the ball backwards, but Bogado is tackled without the ball.
Penalty for the Highlanders, but Hunt stays down hurt.
50 mins
Lomani feeds, and finds Ravataumada off the back. Ravataumada kicks through the line, straight to Garden-Bachop.
He kicks back to Ravouvou, who's tackled. Smith somehow turns it over, and kicks deep with the Drua exposed at the back.
The Drua look to run, but Ravouvou knocks on on his own 5m line. That was under advantage, so we go back for the penalty, and a Highlanders lineout.
48 mins
Tela kicks off, Gilbert wins it. Hunt goes to the air, where Tela settles under it.
Ravataumada kick it back, before the two sides trade kicks.
Garden-Bachop decides to run, but knocks-on in the tackle. Broughton got in his way there.
Drua scrum.
46 mins - TRY HIGHLANDERS
Apisai throws and Tucker wins it and they drive. Smith goes to Gilbet off the back, just outside the 22.
They go wide to Garden-Bachop on the left, and he carries to the 5m line before he's tackled.
Smith picks and goes - and he scores!
Gilbert to convert, and does.
HIG 40 FIJ 12
43 mins
The Highlanders knock-on after the kick-off, so the Drua have a scrum.
Lomani feeds, Derenalagi runs off the back, but Paea wins a penalty as the Drua skipper doesn't release.
Highlanders lineout.
41 mins
We're ready to go in the second half. Parkinson has returned after halftime, so will carry on.
Tela kicks off to get going again.
HALFTIME - TRY HIGHLANDERS
Break in play, Apisai has stayed down injured but looks like he's going to carry on.
Apisai throws, Parkinson wins it and they drive again. Apisai has the ball at the back, before Smith goes to the backs.
Paea hits the line, before Withy carries to the 5m line. Smith goes quickly, and puts Hunt into a gap - and he scores!
Parkinson is limping off as Gilbert lines up the shot - but can't convet.
That's halftime.
HIG 33 FIJ 12
39 mins
Lineout deep in the 22. Apisai throws, Tucker wins it and they drive.
Advantage as the maul collapses, so Smith goes to the backs, the ball goes to ground as Hunt can't get a hand on it, so we go back for the penalty.
37 mins
The Highlanders kick off again, before Lomani clears into touch.
Highlanders lineout, Apisai throws. Tucker wins it, and they drive before going to the backs.
Gilbert runs and wins advantage, before we stop for the penalty.
Hunt kicks to the corner for a lineout.
35 mins - TRY DRUA
Valetini is subbed off, Teti Tela comes on to replace him. The Drua end up with the ball after winning the lineout, and have advantage.
They go wide to Masi, before Ravataumada carries to the 22. He offloads to Rakuro on the left wing - and he goes over to score!
Lomani looks to convert, but he hits the post.
HIG 28 FIJ 12
33 mins
Ikanivere throws, but the Highlanders lose it - so Smith clears downfield into touch.
32 mins - YELLOW CARD HIGHLANDERS
Both sides trade possession, before Ikanivere breaks through towards the Highlanders line! They get back to defend, before Garden-Bachop gives away an offside penalty, and he's shown a yellow card for cynical play.
What can the Drua do with a lineout and the extra man?
31 mins - TRY HIGHLANDERS
The Highlanders kick off, and the Drua attempt to kick through the line. Gilbert intercepts it though!
Gilbert races through, and survives an ankle tap from Lomani to score another!
Gilbert converts his own try.
HIG 28 FIJ 7
29 mins - TRY HIGHLANDERS
Lineout right in the 22. Apisai throws, Parkinson wins it and they drive.
Apisai has the ball at the back and carries to the 5m line. Smith has his hands on it, and goes to Bogado - who cuts back inside and scores!
The Argentine winger scores his first Super Rugby try!
Gilbert nails the conversion too!
HIG 21 FIJ 7
27 mins
Apisai throws, the Highlanders win it and go to Lowe as first-receiver.
They go across to the right, before Ainsley wins advatnage, and then a penalty.
What do the Highlanders do here? They want the lineout as Hunt finds touch.
26 mins
Highlanders scrum. Smith feeds, Broughton goes off the back and finds his halfback.
Smith breaks, and finds Garden-Bachop who kicks over the top! Ravataumada gets there first though, and saves the day for the Drua in their 22.
Lomani clears with a box kick, but gives the Highlanders a lineout.
25 mins
The Drua claim the kick-off, but can't break into the 22. Lomani throws a poor pass and the Highlanders turn it over.
The Highlanders go forward, before we go back for the initial knock-on after Lomani's pass.
24 mins - TRY HIGHLANDERS
Ikanivere throws, and the Drua clear through Valetnini, straight to Garden-Bachop.
The Highlanders kick it back, but turn it over inside the 22. Smith goes to Gilbert on the right, who finds Hunt to take it wider.
They go back inside through Tucker, as Withy goes to the line! The Highlanders are knocking on the door.
De Groot picks and goes - and this time he scores! Both props on the scoresheet!
Gilbert to convert from the left, and lands it to give the Highlanders the lead!
HIG 14 FIJ 7
20 mins
Drua lineout, Ikanivere throws, and the Drua look to use it before Valetini drops it.
The ball goes backwards though, and they keep hold of it on halfway. But they've knocked it on - and Smth taps and goes quickly!
Smith kicks it into touch inside the 22, though. Chance wasted for the Highlanders.
18 mins - TRY HIGHLANDERS
The Highlanders hit right back! Lomani's kick is charged down by Aaron Smith, before Hunt puts Broughton into a gap!
He offloads to Gilbert, who carries to the 5m line, before the Highlanders switch and go right where Ainsley goes over on the left flank! His first Super Rugby try!
Gilbert to convert, and he does! All square.
HIG 7 FIJ 7
16 mins - TRY DRUA
Another Drua scrum, Lomani eeds and goes Vota off the back.
Vota breaks down the Drua's right - and he's through! He offloads to Lomani, and he dives for the line and scores!
The Drua open the scoring! Valetini to add the extras from the right - and he nails it!
HIG 0 FIJ 7
13 mins
Drua scrum. Lomani feeds, and the Drua go again. Tawake takes the line on, before Vota gets closer to the 22 and wins advantage.
The Highlanders get over the top, so we go back for the penalty.
12 mins
Apisai throws, and Smith box kicks. There's a scramble, but the ball ends up with the Drua in their own half.
Valetini kicks, and Gilbert gets up to win it. He offloads to Hunt, and the Highlanders start again.
De Groot spills it, and the Drua can build. We'll go back for the knock-on.
11 mins
Smith feeds, and straight away the Highlanders win a penalty through Ainsley.
Hunt clears for a lineout.
10 mins
Ikanivere throws, and the Highlanders control it and bring it down. Lomani knocks on attempting to play the ball though.
Highlanders scurm.
8 mins
Lomani feeds inside the Drua half. Ravouvou wins a penalty against Harmon, as Valetini finds touch for a lineout.
7 mins
Highlanders lineout inside the Drua half. Apisai throws, and Harmon wins it as the Highlanders drive. They get to the 10 before going to the backs. Umaga-Jensen goes, before Gilbert stabs through the line on the right, but into touch.
The Drua take it quickly before Valetini kicks downfield to Hunt. Timu and Bogado combine on the right wing, before going to the left. Withy throws a forward pass out to Lowe, and is then smashed for his troubles.
Drua scrum.
5 mins
Highlanders scrum. Smith feeds, but the front rows go down. They go again, and the Highlanders win a penalty, looks like de Groot the hero there.
4 mins
Lomani feeds, and Derenalagi runs off the back. The Drua go wide, but Ravataumada knocks on to gift possession back to the Highlanders.
2 mins
Salawa takes the kick-off, before the Drua kick it back to Hunt inside their own half.
Bogado kicks on the right wing, but the Drua win the ball, before clearing back to Hunt. The Highlanders go left through Gilbert and Lowe, as Ainsley runs back infield.
Broughton drops it cold though, before the Drua knock it on as well.
We go back for a Drua scrum.
KICKOFF
We're all ready to go then, and Mitch Hunt kicks off to get us rolling in Dunedin!
4:34pm
The Highlanders have been forced into some very late changes, we'll bring you team news as soon as we can.
Nikora Broughton starts at No.8 on place of Hugh Renton. Will Tucker starts at lock with Josh Dickson also ruled out.
4:30pm
We're all but ready to get underway under the roof.
Five minutes to go.
4:00pm
Good afternoon! If you're just joining us this afternoon, Matatū have stunned defending champions Chiefs Manawa to claim the Super Rugby Aupiki crown - with the title coming down to the final kick.
In the second game of the day, the Highlanders host Fijian Drua, out to avoid an upset.
Kick-off is around 35 minutes away, so stay tuned for all the action!
********
Kia ora, good afternoon and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of this Super Rugby Pacific round five clash between the Highlanders and Fijian Drua, from Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The Highlanders may have ended their winless run to start 2023 with last week's win over the Force, but still have a lot of work to do if they're to put themselves into the mix as competition contenders.
Clarke Dermody's men sit 11th of 12 on the table, with only Moana Pasifika boasting a worse record, with three losses - all to Kiwi opposition.
But you can put your money on the fact the Highlanders will have this game circled on their calendar as one to win after their difficult start.
Their opponents, though, won't make things any easier for them.
So far this year, the Drua have already knocked off the Crusaders, and sit seventh on the ladder with two wins.
Now into their second season of Super Rugby, the Drua are showing their promise as a wildcard side, capable of upsetting any side on their day.
The Drua have already tasted victory on Kiwi soil this year, when they beat Moana Pasifika in the first round, and won't have any fears over doing it again under the roof in Dunedin.
TAB odds: Highlanders $1.30, Fijian Drua $3.40, draw $21
Teams:
Highlanders: 1-Ethan de Groot, 2-Leni Apisai, 3-Jermaine Ainsley, 4-Pari Pari Parkinson, 5-Josh Dickson, 6-Sean Withy, 7-Billy Harmon (c), 8-Hugh Renton, 9-Aaron Smith, 10-Mitch Hunt, 11-Jonah Lowe, 12-Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 13-Josh Timu, 14-Martin Bogado, 15-Sam Gilbert
Reserves: 16-Jack Taylor, 17-Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18-Saula Ma'u, 19-Will Tucker, 20-James Lentjes, 21-Folau Fakatava, 22-Cameron Millar, 23-Jake Te Hiwi
Fijian Drua: 1-Emosi Tuqiri, 2-Tevita Ikanivere, 3-Samuela Tawake, 4-Isoa Nasilasila, 5-Leone Rotuisolia, 6-Joseva Tamani, 7-Kitione Salawa, 8-Meli Derenalagi (c), 9-Frank Lomani, 10-Kemu Valentini, 11-Taniela Rakuro, 12-Kalaveti Ravouvou, 13-Apisalome Vota, 14-Iosefo Masi, 15-Selestino Ravataumada
Reserves: 16-Zuriel Togiatama, 17-Meli Tuni, 18-Jone Koroiduadua, 19-Sorovakatini Tuifagalele, 20-Vilive Miramira, 21-Elia Canakaivata, 22-Peni Matawalu, 23-Teti Tela
