Moana Pasifika players celebrate after beating the Highlanders. Photo: Martin Hunter/ActionPress
The Highlanders' season is all but over after Moana Pasifika pulled off a stunning 34-29 win in Dunedin. It leaves Jamie Joseph's team stranded at 10th on the table, only one place ahead of the last-placed Fijian Drua.
However, the result jettisons Moana up into sixth, just one point behind the Hurricanes and ahead of cross-town rivals the Blues.
Melani Matavao was the hero for the visitors, with his charge down of a Taine Robinson clearance in the 75th minute resulting in a spectacular dive into the corner.
Patrick Pellegrini's nerveless conversion from the sideline gave Moana a five-point lead they never relinquished, despite a furious finish by the home side.
It was an unfortunate hero to zero moment for Robinson, who had just landed a clutch conversion of a Jack Taylor lineout drive try to give the Highlanders the lead.
The wild final scenes capped off an absorbing contest that featured several lead changes.
Once again, Moana fans were treated to an Ardie Savea masterclass, with the skipper scoring an outrageous second half try after receiving a pass and putting a kick along the deck that he recovered and got over the try line.
Importantly, it was while Moana were down a player after William Havili had been carded for a high shot on Cam Millar. The Highlanders first five will be wondering just what he's done to upset Moana, as it was the second time in two games that he's copped a brutal tackle.
Earlier, Highlanders fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens opened the scoring, before Danny Toala quickly hit back for the visitors. Jonah Lowe scored the first of his two tries for the home side, but a Lalamilo Lalamilo effort and Havili penalty gave Moana a 17-12 lead at the break.
Crucially, the Highlanders' lineout was getting picked apart by the Moana jumpers, conceding a number of turnovers. That was on top of the open field turnovers that Savea and Miracle Faiilagi were creating anyway, which led to both crossing the tryline after the break.
This result now sets up a massive clash for Moana with the Blues in a fortnight after their bye, with both sides likely to be able to end each other's campaigns in what will be the most heated clash between the two so far.
The Highlanders also get a week off to wonder just where it all went wrong, before heading to Wellington to face the Hurricanes.
Read how the match unfolded with RNZ's live blog:
