Highlanders speedster Mosese Dawai was the beneficiary of a quality inside ball from Folau Fakatava, who lit the game up in his late cameo as the Dunedin men ran out 45-17 winners against Moana Pasifika at Mt Smart Stadium.
The Highlanders were just starting to grab hold of the game in the second period as the scrum-half drifted off the base of a ruck in the red zone before popping a brilliant short ball inside to his flying winger Dawai who had no one in front of him.
It was outstanding vision from Fakatava, who managed two try assists in 16 minutes.
Dawai dives over to stretch the Highlanders lead to 14 💥
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Earlier, Moana Pasifika broke the deadlock after only six minutes through Solomone Funaki, with Lincoln McClutchie converting.
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However, the Highlanders responded with two quick tries by the 18th minute through Pari Pari Parkinson and Sam Gilbert, with the full-back converting his try only.
The teams would trade converted tries after that through Levi Aumua for Moana in the 23rd minute and Hugh Renton for the Highlanders three minutes later.
The game entered a dormant period on the scoreboard before McClutchie added three more just before the break to keep his team within touching distance.
That would turn out to be the last point the hosts scored as the Dunedin men ran rampant in the second period.
It began with Fetuli Paea crossing in the 52nd minute before two quick tries from Dawai and Marino Mikaele-Tu’u. Gilbert made no mistake from the tee.
A successful outing for the Highlanders was rounded out by an unconverted try from the hard-working Thomas Umaga-Jensen.
Video: Super Rugby Pacific
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