The Highlanders have outlasted Moana Pasifika to take the 28-17 win in the first ever game in Tonga.
Both teams were greeted in Nuku’alofa by a passionate crowd and tough conditions as the plethora of Tonga-born or heritage players relished the moment.
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There were 12 players in the Pasifika squad with Tongan heritage, including prop Abraham Pole who opened the scoring in the fourth minute for the expansion side.
The wet condition splayed havoc with the game as the hosts dropped the kick-off, inviting pressure and eventually allowing Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens to respond.
‘Ikale Tahi flyhalf William Havili’s penalty extended Moana’s lead but another mistake just after the kick-off gifted the Highlanders a chance to strike.
They would find space down the short side, with Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens drawing the fullback for Connor Garden-Bachop to score.
Moana Pasifika had an answer through the Inisi brothers, with winger Fine putting number eight Lotu into space, kicking ahead of Havili to squeeze his way through and over the line.
It gave them a five point lead before the combination of Garden-Bachop and Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens delivered once again, setting up the fullback for his second with a nice kick in the testing conditions.
The try gave the Highlanders the two point lead at the break before the boot of Cam Millar helped close out the game.
Millar kicked three crucial penalties as the visitors played the territory perfectly.
Moana Pasifika had dominance at scrum time but struggled to execute when they tried to reduce the margin.
The Highlanders’ defence held strong and eventually did enough to close out a crucial 11-point win for Clarke Dermody’s men.
The win secures their spot in the top eight, jumping the Fijian Drua into seventh before they face the Crusaders in Dunedin.
Highlanders captain Billy Harmon said his players were proud to be part of an "awesome" occasion.
"Tongan rugby has given so much to the world. Awesome atmosphere, awesome country, the boys have loved it," Harmon said.
"To be able to grind out a win in these conditions was great. We've got some Tongan boys in our team too so it meant a lot to them."
As for Moana Pasifika, they sit three points outside the top eight heading into the final weeks, set to return to Auckland to host the Chiefs.
