Malakai Fekitoa scored two tries as the Highlanders claimed a 51-12 bonus-point victory over the insipid Rebels in Dunedin on Friday. MARIETTE ADAMS reports.
The Highlanders clinched a second consecutive win for the first time this season and their first home victory of the year.
The hosts will be happy about their performance and the result given their recent run of form, but they should not read too much into a contest where the Rebels failed to pose any sort of challenge.
Highlanders captain Ben Smith was ruled out with a minor injury before the game with Matt Faddes replacing him in the starting lineup and No 8 Luke Whitelock taking over the captaincy, but the late change had little impact on proceedings.
Two quick converted tries – by Fekitoa and Whitelock – sandwiched between two Marty Banks penalties saw the Highlanders go into the break with a commanding 20-0 lead.
Banks continued his flawless kicking performance with a third penalty after the restart, before the Rebels replied through wing Tom English to get on the board.
But his effort was scant consolation, as the Highlanders' assault continued with three unanswered tries, including a second by Fekitoa.
Reece Hodge split the Highlanders' defence late in the game for a self-converted try, but the Highlanders had the final say when Greg Pleasants-Tate crossed for their sixth try of the game.
Highlanders – Tries: Malakai Fekitoa (2), Luke Whitelock, Richard Buckman, Gareth Evans, Greg Pleasants-Tate. Conversions: Marty Banks (5), Fletcher Smith. Penalties: Marty (3).
Rebels – Tries: Tom English, Reece Hodge. Conversion: Hodge.
Highlanders – 15 Matt Faddes, 14 Tevita Li, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Richard Buckman, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Marty Banks, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock (c), 7 Dillon Hunt 6 Gareth Evans, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Joe Wheeler, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Aki Seiuli.
Subs: 16 Greg Pleasants-Tate, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Siosuia Halanukonuka, 19 Elliot Dixon, 20 Tupou Sopoaga, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Teihorangi Walden.
Rebels – 15 Jack Debreczeni, 14 Tom English, 13 Mitch Inman, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 Nic Stirzaker (c), 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Colby Fainga’a, 6 Jordy Reid, 5 Steve Cummins, 4 Culum Retallick, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 James Hanson, 1 Fereti Sa’aga.
Subs: 16 Siliva Siliva, 17 Tom Moloney, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Dominic Day, 20 Lopeti Timani, 21, Mick Snowden, 22 Sione Tuipulotu, 23 Ben Volavola.
Dianne Manson/Getty Images
