The Highlanders put on a sterling performance to wallop the Brumbies 43-17 in Dunedin last night. The Highlanders are on a winning spree and are going to play their crucial Super Rugby match against Chiefs in Suva on June 30.

The Brumbies, who have struggled at times this sea­son, gave a good account of themselves for large portions of the match and had threat­ened to cause an upset. They scored their tries through Fijian No.8 Isi Naisarani and Joel Powell.

The hosts, though, proved too strong in the end despite taking a narrow 12-10 lead into the break.

As is so often the case when New Zealand teams play against franchises from other countries, the final 20 minutes of the match saw the Kiwis run away with it. Powerhouse winger Waisake Naholo also put his name on the try scor­ing sheet. In the end, the Highlanders secured a bonus point win, scoring six tries to just two by the Brumbies.

The win sees the men from Dunedin stay fourth in the New Zealand Conference, though they have closed the gap on the Chiefs in third, while the Brumbies stay third in the Australian Conference.

Edited by Osea Bola

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