The Highlanders have claimed the 42-27 win over the Rebels at Leichhardt Oval.
The boys from Otago cruised out to an early lead as they opened the Rebels up with expensive Rugby
Watch every minute of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now
However, the Rebels refused to give up and fought their way back into the match as Marika Koroibete crossed for his first try of 2021, shortly followed by Cabous Eloff.
As the Rebels took the lead just after the break, a yellow card to Jordan Uelese would prove the turning point as the Highlanders scored three tries in quick succession to take the win.
At the neutral venue of Leichhardt Oval, the Highlanders were looking to impress a decent-sized crowd who got behind the Kiwis.
They would immediately open the scoring after just two minutes, with centre Michael Collins juggling and re-gathering a chip kick to score near the posts.
As the Highlanders opened the Rebels up at will, their impressive loose-ball skills were on display as they got rid of a number of late offloads to create a numbers advantage, eventually finished off by Sio Tomkinson.
With fans feared another drubbing, the Rebels turned around the contest as the forward pack started to assert their dominance.
They would hit back in the 27th minute as Marika Koroibete broke his try-scoring drought, finishing off some nice set up play from Carter Gordon.
As both sides battled it out for ascendency, it would be the yellow carding of Jordan Uelese that would turn the game.
Uelese, who had been integral to the Rebels early success, was sent for ten after kicking the ball out of the ruck.
This allowed the Highlanders to immediately barge over from the resulting 5m scrum, earning a penalty try.
Tries to Josh Dickson and Jona Nareki allowed the home side to build an impressive advantage as the Wallabies hooker sat on the bench.
The Rebels would have their own chance to attack the Highlanders with the man advantage as Billy Harmon was sent just seconds after coming on.
Replacement prop Matt Gibbon would get one back, however, the Highlanders controlled the proceeding eight minutes as they hunted for a bonus point.
Winger Marika Koroibete would dash any hopes as he crossed for the double, with Matt To’ouma missing the kick that would have put them within a try.
In the end, the Highlanders would be too strong as Billy Harmon crossed for a consolidation try.
HIGHLANDERS 42
TRIES: Collins, Tomkinson, Nareki, Harmon, Penalty try, Dickson
CONS: Hunt 5
REBELS 27
TRIES: Koroibete 2, Eloff, Gibbon
CONS: To'ouma 2
PENS: Worth
