Two tries to fullback Jacob Ratumaivuki-Kneepkens have helped the Highlanders overcome horrible conditions and a parochial crowd to defeat Moana Pasifika 28-17 in Super Rugby Pacific's debut in Tonga.
With a tropical storm hitting Nuku'alofa overnight, the game began in torrential rain that made handling almost impossible early, but the visitors adapted better than their hosts, through the boot of first-five Cam Millar, who kicked three second-half penalties to edge his team clear.
The result marks the southerners' first back-to-back wins of the season, as they consolidate their position inside the top-eight playoff teams, leapfrogging Fijian Drua into seventh on the competition table.
Immedtialey from kickoff, the game was held up several minutes, when Moana Pasifika halfback Jonathan Taumateine was injured trying to make an early tackle, but ultimately walked off under his own steam.
From a scrum penalty in their own half, the home side kicked deep into Highlanders territory and No.8 Lotu Inisi ran powerfully off an attacking lineout, with prop Abraham Pole next up, charging over to score.
From the Highlanders kickoff, replacement halfback Ere Enari could not gather the bounce cleanly and the visitors went on the attack, with Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens sliding across the tryline.
Moana Pasifika enjoyed a significant advantage at scrumtime and they used that edge to kick for position. Fullback William Havili slotted a long-range penalty from another scrum penalty.
The Highlanders struck back, when Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens put winger Connor Garden-Bachop over in the corner and Millar converted from the sideline to snatch the lead.
Their edge was shortlived, when Inisi kicked ahead and Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens slipped over, while trying to cover the threat. Enari toed ahead and Havili followed for the try.
The visitors continued to direct their attack down the left, with Millar finding Garden-Bachop with a crosskick, and the winger kicking ahead for Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens to chase and score. Millar's conversion gave the Highlanders another lead with halftime approaching.
Ahead 19-17 at the break, the Highlanders padded their margin with a penalty soon after the restart, but they lost Garden-Bachop, when he chased another chip ahead by Millar, sliding to secure the ball, but colliding heavily with a defender in the process.
Millar edged his team further clear with another penalty, putting them beyond reach of a converted try, but with plenty of time left on the clock.
The Highlanders had another chance, when Havili could not take a high kick from Millar inside his 22. From the scrum, Millar put another speculator towards the tryline, but winger Martin Bogado knocked on, as he slid across.
Instead, Millar banked another three points from the scrum penalty, turning the screws a little tighter on the home team.
Bogado was denied another try, when Sam Gilbert chased another kick from Millar and the Moana Pasifika defenders could not handle the ball, as it shifted right. The Argentinian winger scooped it up to score, but Gilbert was called for the initial knockon.
As the fulltime siren sounded, the Highlanders had one last chance to score, but were held up at an attacking lineout.
"What a game, tough conditions," reflected Highlanders captain Billy Harmon. "We stacked really good moments and that's where we've been struggling over the past couple of weeks.
"To be able to do that and grind out a win in these conditions was awesome. So great to be here in Tonga and their first Super game - awesome atmosphere, awesome country, the boys have loved it."
The Highlanders now face northern neighbours Crusaders next Saturday, hoping to string together three wins in succession.
Highlanders 28 (Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens 2, Garden-Bachop tries; Millar 2 conversions & penalty) Moana Pasifika 17 (Pole, Havili tries; Havili 2 conversions & penalty)
