A second half onslaught from the Highlanders at Rugby Park in Invercargill has seen the RaboDirect Rebels go down 43-12, despite scores being all tied up at half-time.
The first-half was impressive for the Rebels, shooting out to a 9-0 lead thanks to the laser-like boot of James O’Connor, with the home side dominating possession but unable to penetrate the Melbourne defence.
However, Rebels centre Lloyd Johansson was sent to the sin bin after 22 minutes for a dangerous tackle and the tide began to turn.
Despite O’Connor kicking another penalty during Johansson’s 10-minute spell, the Highlanders scored their first try of the night through fullback Ben Smith on 33 minutes. Five-eighth Chris Noakes added the extra two points and suddenly the Highlanders were back in the game.
Five minutes later O’Connor slotted his fourth penalty of the night, but right on the stroke of half-time the Highlanders drew level.
With 43 minutes on the clock Adam Thomson scored the first of his three tries for the night. Winger Hosea Gear threw a brilliant pass to find the loose forward who crossed untouched to send the teams into the break at 12-apiece.
It remains a mystery what Highlanders Head Coach Jamie Josehp said at half-time, but whatever it was it had the desired affect.
Just three minutes into the second-half Thomson scored his second after a line break from Prop Chris King, before winger Kade Poki crossed just two minutes later to blow the game wide apart.
Noakes added the extras to extend the lead out to 12 points, 24-12.
Three more tries to Highlanders captain Jamie Mackintosh, Smith and another to Thomson rounded out the scoring for the Highlanders in a dominant display over a tiring RaboDirect Rebels outfit.
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