Carter Gordon scored with the last play of the match to seal a dramatic 34–31 victory for the Queensland Reds over the ACT Brumbies at a storm-delayed GIO Stadium, ending Queensland’s five-game losing streak against their Australian rivals.

The Brumbies looked home and hosed leading 31–20 with barely a minute remaining, but two tries in the final two minutes — the first to Filipo Daugunu and the second to Gordon in the 82nd minute — completed one of the great comebacks in Super Rugby Pacific history.

The match was delayed by 85 minutes due to a spectacular lightning storm around Canberra, with multiple strikes within 10km of the stadium forcing repeated postponements. When play finally got underway at 9pm local time, the drama on the field more than made up for the wait.

“We didn’t start that well but certainly worked our way back into the game in the first half in pretty good fashion,” Reds head coach Les Kiss said. “To finish like we did at the back end of the game after all the shenanigans early was special from the boys.”

The hosts raced to a 12–0 lead inside nine minutes. Lachie Shaw powered over from the back of a maul after the Reds dropped the restart and conceded a scrum penalty, before Charlie Cale continued his stunning season by racing down the tramline after good work from wingers Kye Oates and Hudson Creighton.

But the Reds found their groove through two quality tries. First, Harry Wilson produced a beauty of an offload in contact to put winger Lachie Anderson over near the corner. Then came the try of the match — a sweeping move down the left that involved Carter Gordon, centre Isaac Henry, Wilson and flanker Fraser McReight before Josh Flook scooted over untouched to give the visitors a 17–12 lead.

Cale struck again with his second of the evening after a persistent Brumbies attack, but Louis Werchon’s penalty on the stroke of half-time gave the Reds a 20–19 advantage at the break — the third lead change of a pulsating first 40 minutes.

The second half became a battle of attrition as both sides struggled to put phases together. The Reds coughed up 18 turnovers to the Brumbies’ 13, and Kiss’s side found themselves unable to crack the hosts’ rigid defence.

Fullback Andy Muirhead crashed over to restore the Brumbies’ lead in the 62nd minute after they turned down an easy three points, backing themselves from five metres out. Then Luke Reimer appeared to have sealed the victory when he latched onto a pinpoint crossfield kick from Tane Edmed with 10 minutes remaining, diving over from close range to push the lead to 31–20.

But the Reds refused to die. With less than two minutes on the clock, Daugunu picked from the base of the ruck near the posts and expertly kept his knees up, rolling off a defender and over the line. Werchon converted to make it 31–27.

What followed was chaos. Jock Campbell fielded the restart deep in his own quarter and produced a superb 45-metre break, beating several defenders before kicking ahead for rookie Treyvon Pritchard. Muirhead scrambled back desperately but Pritchard threw it back inside and the Brumbies knocked on, giving the Reds a five-metre scrum.

The Brumbies’ front row disintegrated under the pressure, conceding a penalty. The Reds called for another scrum, then went again. From the ruck, Werchon fed Gordon, who angled a run towards the corner, skinned opposite number Edmed, and dived over to complete the heist.

“We didn’t spend a lot of time up on the Brumbies tryline so for Carter to take the bull by the horns in that moment was certainly very good for us and him for sure,” Kiss said.

Gordon’s heroics capped a remarkable return to rugby union. The former Wallabies playmaker only played his first competition game since 2024 last Friday after a stint with Gold Coast in the NRL. In a nice touch on Club Rugby Round, Gordon wore a sock each from the two clubs that shaped him — Sunshine Coast Grammar and Wests.

The result was not without controversy. Television replays suggested Daugunu may have knocked on from the kick-off after his try, with the ball appearing to touch McReight in an offside position. But the officials allowed play to continue, setting up Gordon’s match-winner.

“That’s a shocker,” former Wallaby Justin Harrison said on the Stan Sport broadcast.

The loss put a dampener on what should have been a milestone night for James Slipper, who equalled Wyatt Crockett’s record of 202 Super Rugby Pacific appearances.

“There’s not much to say,” Slipper said. “I’m obviously very proud to get to 202 games, but mate, I’d trade it all in to get a result tonight. Just the way that unfolded there, kind of put a dampener on things.”

For the Brumbies, it was a cruel reversal of fortune after they had come from behind to beat the Blues in similar fashion last week. Cale’s two tries took his season tally to seven in four games, continuing his push for a Wallabies recall.

“It’s tough. We got the better end of the stick last week against the Blues in a very similar situation,” Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said. “There’s nothing much we can do about it now. There was certainly some good stuff in the game and some good performances.”

The Reds will sweat on the fitness of Anderson, who was taken to hospital with an arm injury. His early departure handed 18-year-old Pritchard an extended debut of 64 minutes on the wing — including one moment where he beat the tackle of his elder brother Kadin, playing in the Brumbies’ centres.

“Treyvon has been impressive for the past six months,” Kiss said. “He’s a great lad and he’ll only be better for that outing.”

The Reds return home to face the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium next Saturday, while the Brumbies travel to Fiji to take on the Drua.

Key moments

3 mins – TRY BRUMBIES: Perfect start for the hosts. The Reds drop the restart and the Brumbies win the scrum penalty, setting up a five-metre lineout. Lachie Shaw picks and goes off the back of the maul and powers over just left of the posts. Ryan Lonergan converts. (Brumbies 7–0)

9 mins – TRY BRUMBIES: Charlie Cale’s red-hot form continues. The Brumbies bounce infield off the lineout with players in motion. Kye Oates finds space on the right edge and pops it outside for Cale, who races down the tramline and dots down in the corner. Lonergan misses from wide. (Brumbies 12–0)

15 mins – TRY REDS: The Reds hit back through Lachie Anderson. Harry Wilson produces a beauty of an offload in contact, finding Anderson who pumps his legs and powers over near the corner. Louis Werchon converts. (Brumbies 12–7)

17 mins – TRY DISALLOWED: Declan Meredith appears to score after scooping up a loose ball from a Fraser McReight turnover, but the TMO spots a knock-on in the lead-up. The Reds survive.

22 mins – PENALTY REDS: Werchon slots from in front after the Brumbies are pinged for offside. (Brumbies 12–10)

28 mins – TRY REDS: Silky hands from the Reds as they work it down the left from the Brumbies’ 10. Jock Campbell gets it away quickly for Filipo Daugunu, who pops it outside for Wilson. The Wallabies captain fires a quick ball inside for Josh Flook, who races in the last 15 metres untouched. Werchon converts. (Brumbies 12–17)

36 mins – TRY BRUMBIES: Cale gets his double! The Brumbies set up the attacking lineout and push forward with the maul. Billy Pollard has a dash but is short, then Cale picks and goes with power and muscles it down 10 metres in from the left touchline. Lonergan converts. (Brumbies 19–17)

40+1 mins – PENALTY REDS: The Reds steal the lead on the siren. David Feliuai is pinged for killing the ruck and Werchon slots from 35 metres, just left of centre. (Brumbies 19–20)

Half-time: Brumbies 19–20 Reds. A cracker of a first half with both sides showing plenty of adventure. The Brumbies raced to a 12–0 lead through Shaw and Cale before the Reds hit back with tries to Anderson and Flook. Cale’s second restored the hosts’ lead, but Werchon’s penalty on the siren gave Queensland a one-point advantage at the break.

46 mins – CLOSE CALL: Lonergan makes up serious ground to stop Kalani Thomas after a clever grubber from Carter Gordon. The Brumbies scramble back to dot down in-goal.

49 mins – MEREDITH SPARKS HOSTS: Declan Meredith’s smart chip and chase gets the Brumbies rolling inside the 22, but they knock on at the back of the ruck. Reds scrum.

55 mins – REDS ON THE MARCH: The Reds work their way inside the five-metre line with Daugunu going close, but initial penalty calls are waved off after a knock-on in the lead-up. Treyvon Pritchard then nearly scores in the corner but is bundled into touch a metre out.

62 mins – TRY BRUMBIES: Andy Muirhead crashes over! The Brumbies turn down an easy three and back themselves from five metres out. After several pick-and-goes, Muirhead receives the ball on the left, steps back inside and muscles it down in contact. Lonergan misses the conversion, hitting the right upright. (Brumbies 24–20)

73 mins – TRY BRUMBIES: Luke Reimer delivers what looks like the match-sealer! Tane Edmed puts up a pinpoint crossfield kick that hits Reimer on the chest. He’s dragged down just short but gets the ball a few phases later, diving over from close range. Lonergan converts. (Brumbies 31–20)

79 mins – TRY REDS: Daugunu gives the Reds hope! The winger picks from the base of the ruck and expertly keeps his knees up, rolling off a defender and over the line. Werchon converts. (Brumbies 31–27)

80 mins – CAMPBELL SPARKS CHAOS: From the restart, Jock Campbell runs 50 metres from near his own in-goal, beating several defenders before kicking through for Treyvon Pritchard. Muirhead scrambles back to stop him but Pritchard throws it back inside and the Brumbies knock on. Reds scrum five metres out.

80+1 mins – SCRUM PENALTY REDS: The Brumbies disintegrate in the front row and concede a penalty. The Reds call for another scrum.

80+3 mins – TRY REDS: THE REDS STEAL IT! From the scrum, Werchon fires it outside for Gordon, who skips to the outside of Edmed and dives over in the corner! What a finish! Werchon converts from wide. (Brumbies 31–34)

Full-time: Brumbies 31–34 Reds

Teams

Brumbies: 15 Andy Muirhead, 14 Kye Oates, 13 Kadin Pritchard, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Hudson Creighton, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan (c), 8 Charlie Cale, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Tuiana Taii Tualima, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Lachie Shaw, 3 Rhys van Nek, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Liam Bowron, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Tevita Alatini, 19 Toby Macpherson, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Klayton Thorn, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Austin Anderson.

Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Lachie Anderson, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Isaac Henry, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Louis Werchon, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight (c), 6 Joe Brial, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Zane Nonggorr, 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Richie Asiata, 17 George Blake, 18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 19 Seru Uru, 20 Vaiuta Latu, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Treyvon Pritchard.

Match details

Brumbies 31 (Tries: Shaw, Cale 2, Muirhead, Reimer; Conversions: Lonergan 3/5)
Reds 34 (Tries: Anderson, Flook, Daugunu, Gordon; Conversions: Werchon 4/4; Penalties: Werchon 2/2)
Half-time: 19–20

Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Referee: Damon Murphy (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Jordan Way, Jeremy Markey
TMO: James Leckie

Notes: Kick-off was delayed by 85 minutes due to a lightning storm around Canberra. James Slipper equalled Wyatt Crockett’s record for the most capped Super Rugby Pacific player with his 202nd appearance. Corey Toole (leg) and Ollie Sapsford (hamstring) were late withdrawals for the Brumbies. Lachie Anderson departed early with an arm injury and was taken to hospital, with Treyvon Pritchard making his debut.

Caleb Clarke scored a hat-trick as the Blues shut out the Crusaders in the second half to claim a crucial 29–13 victory at Eden Park, ending a four-game losing streak against their Kiwi rivals at the venue.

Key moments

2 mins – PENALTY CRUSADERS: Dalton Papali’i pinged for not rolling away at the breakdown. Rivez Reihana slots from 20 metres out right in front. (Blues 0–3)

4 mins – TRY BLUES: The hosts strike back immediately. After winning a free kick from the restart, the Blues hammer it forward with direct carries before Beauden Barrett combines with Pita Ahki, who fires a long pass to Caleb Clarke. The All Black winger gets on the outside of the defence and slams it down in the corner. Barrett converts from the touchline. (Blues 7–3)

7 mins – TRY DISALLOWED/YELLOW CARD CRUSADERS: Jamie Hannah appears to score after a clean break by Rivez Reihana, but the try is ruled out following a TMO review for a high tackle by Dom Gardiner on Hoskins Sotutu several phases earlier. Gardiner is shown a yellow card.

9 mins – TRY BLUES: The Blues capitalise from the penalty. From the lineout 40 metres out, they swing it quickly left where Zarn Sullivan bursts onto a short pass and sprints into the clear. He draws the last defender before dishing to Clarke, who zips away to score his second in the corner. Barrett’s conversion hits the upright. (Blues 12–3)

22 mins – TRY BLUES: A moment of magic from Codemeru Vai. Barrett puts in a pinpoint cross-field kick towards the corner. It sits up on its point and Vai gets airborne, miraculously grounding it cleanly just inside the touch-in-goal line. Acrobatic brilliance. Barrett converts from the touchline. (Blues 19–3)

31 mins – YELLOW CARD BLUES: Clarke is shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-down as the Crusaders look to counter.

33 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: The visitors make the man advantage count. From the lineout, the Crusaders maul forward before Codie Taylor peels off and is driven strongly over the line. Reihana’s conversion hits the upright. (Blues 19–8)

38 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: The Crusaders strike again with Clarke still in the bin. After Reihana regathers his own grubber 40 metres out, Noah Hotham zips to the short side and flicks a pass to Reihana, who goes over untouched out wide. Reihana sprays the conversion. (Blues 19–13)

Half-time: Blues 19–13. The Blues were at their scintillating best early, chalking up three quality tries in the opening 22 minutes through Clarke (2) and Vai’s acrobatic finish. But the Crusaders clawed back with two tries while Clarke was in the sin bin for a deliberate knock-down, carrying real momentum into the break despite trailing by six.

46 mins – TRY DISALLOWED: Barrett appears to score in the corner after Vai keeps the ball alive, but the TMO rules Vai’s knee was in touch before he released the pass.

48 mins – TRY BLUES: Clarke completes his hat-trick! From a lineout, the Blues hammer away with pick-and-goes before Finlay Christie swings it left to Ahki, who dishes to Barrett. Vai chimes in and fires a long pass to Clarke, who sprints away to score near the corner. Barrett converts from the touchline. (Blues 26–13)

69 mins – MISSED PENALTY BLUES: Barrett’s shot from 38 metres drifts out to the left.

71 mins – FAINGA’ANUKU STOPPED: Leicester Fainga’anuku powers towards the posts but loses the ball forward in the tackle of AJ Lam and Sotutu. Brilliant desperation defence by the Blues.

75 mins – PENALTY BLUES: Barrett slots an easy penalty from 12 metres after the Crusaders are pinged for offside. (Blues 29–13)

Full-time: Blues 29–13

The hosts were at their scintillating best early, racing to a 19–3 lead inside 22 minutes through two tries to Clarke and Codemeru Vai’s acrobatic finish from a Beauden Barrett cross-kick. But the defending champions clawed back with two tries while Clarke was in the sin bin to trail 19–13 at half-time, only to be held scoreless in the second stanza by an outstanding Blues defensive effort.

Barrett, called up to start at first five-eighth after Stephen Perofeta was ruled out with a calf injury before kick-off, showed few signs of rust in his first Super Rugby appearance of 2026. The All Blacks veteran played the full 80 minutes and produced several classy touches throughout an arm-wrestle of a contest.

The Crusaders opened the scoring through a Rivez Reihana penalty after Dalton Papali’i was pinged for not rolling away, but the lead lasted barely a minute. From a free kick won off the restart, the Blues hammered forward with direct carries into the Crusaders’ 22 before Barrett combined with Pita Ahki to shift the ball wide. Ahki fired a long pass to Clarke on the left edge, and the All Black winger got on the outside of Chay Fihaki before slamming it down in the corner. Barrett converted from the touchline for 7–3.

The visitors thought they had struck back immediately when Jamie Hannah glided through a gap to score after a clean break by Reihana. But the try was ruled out following a TMO review for a high tackle by Dom Gardiner on Hoskins Sotutu several phases earlier. Gardiner’s body height was high and he was shown a yellow card, leaving the Crusaders to rue a crucial moment.

The Blues capitalised ruthlessly from the ensuing penalty. They found touch 40 metres out and swung it quickly to the left, where Zarn Sullivan burst onto a short pass from Barrett and sprinted into the clear. The fullback drew the last defender before dishing a perfectly timed pass to Clarke, who zipped away untouched to score his second in the corner. Barrett’s conversion struck the upright, but the Blues led 12–3.

Then came one of the finishes of the season. The Blues worked it right from a scrum before Barrett produced a stabbing cross-field kick towards the corner. The ball sat up on its point as Vai timed his run to perfection, getting airborne and miraculously grounding it cleanly just inside the touch-in-goal line. It was acrobatic brilliance — a catch any cricketer would be proud of — as the winger showed great athleticism to collect and put the ball down within inches of the dead-ball line. Barrett converted from the touchline for 19–3.

At that point, the Blues looked in complete control. But a yellow card to Clarke for a deliberate knock-down in the 31st minute allowed the Crusaders to mount a late first-half charge.

The visitors made the man advantage count immediately. Codie Taylor put the ball into touch five metres out and Antonio Shalfoon took the lineout. The Crusaders got their maul inching forward before Taylor peeled off and was driven strongly over the line by his pack to score out wide. Reihana’s conversion struck the upright.

Then Reihana started and finished an electric sequence with Clarke still in the bin. The flyhalf rolled in a nicely weighted grubber that he regathered 40 metres out before Sevu Reece streaked into space down the left touchline. After David Havili kept the momentum going, Noah Hotham zipped to the short side and flicked a pass off the back of the hand to Reihana, who went over untouched out wide. Reihana sprayed the conversion across the face, and the Blues held onto a 19–13 lead at the break.

Clarke returned after half-time and quickly made up for his infringement. The Blues went close early when Vai kept the ball alive near the touchline to set up Barrett in the corner, but the TMO ruled Vai’s knee had brushed the touchline before he released the pass.

The let-off didn’t matter greatly. Anton Segner tapped back the lineout before the Blues hammered away with several pick-and-goes from close range, with Sotutu, Papali’i and Josh Beehre all going close. With the defence compressed, Finlay Christie swung it left to Ahki, who dished to Barrett. Vai then chimed into the line and fired a long pass to Clarke, who sprinted away to score his hat-trick try near the corner. Barrett converted superbly from the touchline for 26–13.

That would prove to be the final try of the contest as both sides attempted to outwit the other with several kicking duels. The Crusaders went close in the final quarter as Leicester Fainga’anuku exploded onto a short ball and powered towards the posts, but Sotutu and AJ Lam typified the Blues’ desperation on defence as they combined to jolt the ball free right under the crossbar. It was a clutch tackle that summed up the hosts’ second-half defensive effort.

Barrett missed a penalty from 38 metres but made no mistake from 12 metres after the Crusaders were pinged for offside, pushing the lead to 16 and ending the contest. Taufa Funaki’s kick into touch — over the back of his head — brought the match to a stylish conclusion.

For Clarke, it continues a remarkable turnaround. The All Black winger now has five tries in four games this season — five more than he scored in the entire 2025 campaign.

The win lifts the Blues to fourth spot with a 2–2 record. They will face Moana Pasifika at Eden Park next Sunday. The Crusaders, whose display was marred by shoddy handling and unclean lineouts, drop to 1–3 in eighth and will be desperate for victory when they host the Highlanders in Christchurch next Saturday.

“I’m just proud of the way we fronted in that last quarter,” Barrett said afterwards. “We gave away too many penalties for the most part of that game in our defence, but when we backed that, we felt really good and in control.

“We knew we had to turn up tonight against a classy side. It wasn’t perfect but we’re happy to win at home.

“My legs fell off at the end there, but VC [Vern Cotter] asked me yesterday if I could go 80 and I reluctantly said yes.”

Teams

Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Codemeru Vai, 13 AJ Lam, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i (c), 6 Torian Barnes, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Josh Beehre, 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi.
Replacements: 16 James Mullan, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Sam Matenga, 19 Che Clark, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Taufa Funaki, 22 Kade Banks, 23 Xavi Taele.

Crusaders: 15 Taha Kemara, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12 David Havili (c), 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Rivez Reihana, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Dom Gardiner, 5 Jamie Hannah, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Manumaua Letiu, 17 Finlay Brewis, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Will Tucker, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Xavier Saifoloi, 23 Dallas McLeod.

Match details

Blues 29 (Tries: Clarke 3, Vai; Conversions: Barrett 3/4; Penalties: Barrett 1/2)
Crusaders 13 (Tries: Taylor, Reihana; Conversions: Reihana 0/2; Penalties: Reihana 1/1)
Half-time: 19–13

Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Louis Trisley
TMO: Aaron Paterson

Late change: Stephen Perofeta was ruled out with a calf injury before kick-off. Beauden Barrett was promoted to start at first five-eighth, with Kade Banks joining the bench.

Caleb Tangitau scored twice in a thrilling second-half fightback as the Highlanders denied the Western Force a milestone victory, holding on for a frenetic 39–31 Super Rugby Pacific win at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

In a rollercoaster encounter in which the lead changed hands six times, the Force looked on the cusp of notching back-to-back wins in New Zealand for the first time since 2008. But Tangitau broke Force fans’ hearts with his second try, a stunning team effort involving chips from Jona Nareki and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, before Reesjan Pasitoa’s late penalty sealed the deal.

The great escape will be a welcome relief for coach Jamie Joseph, who missed out on the All Blacks coaching job to former Wallabies boss Dave Rennie earlier this week. Wooden spooners last year, Joseph’s Highlanders had won only one of their past nine matches and, midway through the second half, were staring down the barrel of suffering seven consecutive defeats to Australian opposition for the first time.

Joseph largely had inspirational co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai to thank after the powerhouse centre single-handedly shifted momentum back his side’s way after the Force had grabbed a 21–17 half-time lead.

The hosts started brightly, striking first through Veveni Lasaqa after sharp work from the backs. Cameron Millar’s high kick caused problems when Nathan Hastie’s box kick bounced backwards into his hands, and Oliver Haig charged through before finding Folau Fakatava, who fired it to Lasaqa on his inside to score. Millar converted and added a penalty soon after for a 10–0 lead.

The Force had arrived with a clear plan to test the Highlanders under the high ball, with former Highlanders halfback Hastie putting up huge bombs throughout. But as the visitors would learn, if you live by that sword you can die by it too.

Vaiolini Ekuasi crashed over from close range in the 22nd minute to spark a Force response. When Jonah Lowe skirted down the right wing and brushed off two Force defenders to score the Highlanders’ second try, the home side looked in control at 17–7.

But a 50-22 off the boot of Hamish Stewart turned momentum the Force’s way. Even captain Jeremy Williams looked half-surprised when referee Ben O’Keeffe awarded him a pick-and-drive try after he initially appeared short before planting the ball forward over the line.

Then fleet-footed flyhalf Ben Donaldson — who enhanced his Wallabies claims with another eye-catching display with boot and ball in hand — sliced through the Highlanders’ defence and put Stewart over to give the Force a four-point half-time advantage.

Tavatavanawai turned one-man wrecking ball in the second half, beating and bumping off half a dozen Force defenders in two huge midfield surges. With the Force suddenly on the back foot, Lowe swooped on a probing grubber kick from Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens to snare his second try and restore the Highlanders’ lead at 24–21.

The quickfire blitz continued when Tangitau crossed minutes later to push the Highlanders out to an eight-point lead on the hour mark. Great work from Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens forced possession deep in the Force 22, and Nareki’s long ball bounced up perfectly for Tangitau to step inside and score untouched.

The Force wrestled back when prolific flanker Carlo Tizzano and former All Blacks winger George Bridge crossed in the space of two minutes. Tizzano powered over from an attacking maul before Darby Lancaster burst through midfield and Kurtley Beale linked with Bridge, who barged through three defenders to score. The Force led 31–29 with 10 minutes to play.

But the Highlanders’ response was special. Nareki chipped a cheeky kick over the top for himself to chase, regathering and bursting into the 22. He found Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, who was stopped just short. The Highlanders saw space and shifted right, with Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens chipping over the top for Tangitau to collect and score. It was pure Globetrotter stuff from the hosts’ back three, and Pasitoa — on for Millar — converted for 36–31.

The Force pushed hard for a response, but Soane Vikena won a crucial turnover at the breakdown to snuff out their hopes. Pasitoa, the former Force flyhalf, made no mistake from 35 metres to seal a hard-fought victory.

The result was soured slightly when Lowe was forced from the field with a shoulder injury with seven minutes remaining. Having used all their substitutes, the Highlanders were forced to finish with 14 men — but they managed the closing stages well.

“Really proud of the effort,” Tavatavanawai told Sky Sport afterwards. “It’s a chaos week for us, but feel for our coach and we’re grateful that we have him for the next few years. We have Gus [Ta’avao] back in the team to bring a lot of excitement and energy to the team. We owe it to him and to get the win today is special.”

The match also marked an emotional return for All Black prop Angus Ta’avao, back in the side following the death of his son.

The Highlanders dominated the key stats with ball in hand, gaining 536 metres compared to the Force’s 300, along with 33–16 defenders beaten and 9–2 clean breaks. The visitors weren’t helped by 37 missed tackles, while the Force’s aerial dominance was underlined by the home side losing seven lineouts.

The result ends the Highlanders’ forgettable run of six straight losses to Australian opponents and snaps a two-game losing streak for their second win of the season. The Force will rue missed conversions from Max Burey — had he landed either of his attempts, the result might have been different.

The Highlanders now travel to face the Crusaders in a huge South Island derby, while the Force head to Napier to face the Hurricanes in the final match of their three-game New Zealand swing.

Key moments

10 mins – TRY HIGHLANDERS: The hosts struck first after sharp work from the backs. Cameron Millar’s high kick caused problems and Oliver Haig charged through before finding Folau Fakatava, who fired it to Veveni Lasaqa on his inside to score. Millar converted. (Highlanders 7–0)

15 mins – PENALTY HIGHLANDERS: Cameron Millar slotted a penalty from 35 metres after the Force were pinged at the breakdown. (Highlanders 10–0)

22 mins – TRY FORCE: The visitors got on the board through Vaiolini Ekuasi. Brandon Paenga-Amosa’s throw was messy but the Force gathered, and after Paenga-Amosa carried close, Ekuasi picked from the back and bundled over. Ben Donaldson converted. (Highlanders 10–7)

28 mins – TRY HIGHLANDERS: Jonah Lowe produced a moment of magic. Caleb Tangitau popped a ball to Lowe with half a blade of grass to spare down the right edge, and somehow he shook off two defenders before sprinting away to score in the corner. Millar converted from the sideline. (Highlanders 17–7)

33 mins – 50-22 FORCE: Hamish Stewart produced a magnificent 50-22 kick from a sharp set-piece scrum, gaining 60 metres and putting the Force deep in Highlanders territory.

36 mins – TRY FORCE: Jeremy Williams stunned the hosts with the sneakiest of tries. Caught half a metre short from a pick-and-drive, Williams went to ground and placed the ball forward over the try line. Referee Ben O’Keeffe awarded the try after checking the laws. Donaldson converted. (Highlanders 17–14)

40 mins – TRY FORCE: Brilliant from the Force on the stroke of half-time. Jona Nareki’s chip was read by the visitors, and the Force shifted it right. Donaldson found a mismatch and broke through the line, taking it into the 22 before finding Stewart on his left. The Wallaby centre went over under the posts. Donaldson converted. (Force 21–17)

Half-time: Force 21–17. A lively opening 40 minutes with both sides trading momentum. The Highlanders struck first through Lasaqa and looked dangerous through Lowe’s powerful corner finish. But the Force refused to fade, with Ekuasi and Williams crossing before Donaldson’s break set up Stewart’s try on the stroke of half-time to give the visitors a four-point lead.

54 mins – TRY HIGHLANDERS: Lowe bagged his double after brilliant work from Timoci Tavatavanawai. The co-captain shredded tackles up the middle and the back-pedalling Force couldn’t keep up. The hosts stretched the defence left then right, and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens stabbed a grubber through for Lowe to regather and score under the posts. Millar converted. (Highlanders 24–21)

59 mins – TRY HIGHLANDERS: Tangitau touched down after a bullet pass from Nareki. Great work from Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens forced possession deep in the Force 22, and Nareki’s long ball bounced up perfectly for Tangitau to step inside and score untouched. Millar missed the conversion. (Highlanders 29–21)

65 mins – TRY FORCE: Carlo Tizzano kept the contest alive. The Force fetcher made two clutch steals in two minutes before powering over from an attacking maul. Max Burey missed the conversion. (Highlanders 29–26)

68 mins – TRY FORCE: The Force hit the front! Darby Lancaster burst through midfield and streaked into the 22. The visitors shifted it left, and Kurtley Beale linked with George Bridge, who barged through three defenders to score. Burey missed the conversion. (Force 31–29)

70 mins – TRY HIGHLANDERS: A special team try from the Highlanders. Nareki chipped a cheeky kick over the top for himself to chase, regathering and bursting into the 22. He found Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, who was stopped just short. The Highlanders saw space and shifted right, with Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens chipping over the top for Tangitau to collect and score. Reesjan Pasitoa converted. (Highlanders 36–31)

77 mins – PENALTY HIGHLANDERS: Pasitoa sealed the victory. Soane Vikena won a crucial turnover at the breakdown, and the former Force flyhalf made no mistake from 35 metres. (Highlanders 39–31)

Full-time: Highlanders 39–31

Teams

Highlanders: 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 13 Jonah Lowe, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Cameron Millar, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Nikora Broughton, 7 Veveni Lasaqa, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Oliver Haig, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Jack Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot (co-c).
Replacements: 16 Soane Vikena, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Sosefo Kautai, 19 Will Stodart, 20 Sean Withy, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Reesjan Pasitoa, 23 Tanielu Tele’a.

Western Force: 15 Mac Grealy, 14 Darby Lancaster, 13 Divad Palu, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 George Bridge, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Nathan Hastie, 8 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 5 Darcy Swain, 4 Jeremy Williams (c), 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Tom Robertson.
Replacements: 16 Nic Dolly, 17 Sef Fa’agase, 18 Misinale Epenisa, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Will Harris, 21 Henry Robertson, 22 Max Burey, 23 Kurtley Beale.

Match details

Highlanders 39 (Tries: Lasaqa, Lowe 2, Tangitau 2; Conversions: Millar 3/4, Pasitoa 1/1; Penalties: Millar 1, Pasitoa 1)
Western Force 31 (Tries: Ekuasi, Williams, Stewart, Tizzano, Bridge; Conversions: Donaldson 3/5)
Half-time: 17–21

Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Attendance: 13,570
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Maggie Cogger-Orr, Warwick Lahmert
TMO: Richard Kelly