VIDEO: Rebels upset Highlanders in Dunedin
SUPER RUGBY REPORT: Two runaway tries to wing Andrew Kellaway have helped the Melbourne Rebels to a thrilling first Super Rugby win in Dunedin, beating the Highlanders 28-22.
The former Waratahs' flyer, who joined the Rebels this season after an overseas playing stint, scored a long-distance try in each half of Friday's absorbing contest.
In the 21st minute, Kellaway pounced on a Highlanders error and burnt rival wing Jona Nerike in an 80m effort, before intercepting an Aaron Smith pass in the 52nd minute to grab his second.
The 24-year-old played 25 matches over three seasons for the Waratahs but failed to really make his mark on the competition.
The Rebels made a flying start, scoring at a point a minute to lead 21-0 midway through the first half, with centre Billy Meakes and rampaging hooker Anaru Rangi both touching down.
With their big men doing plenty of damage, they dominated the set piece and showed plenty of energy in defence.
But the Highlanders showed courage to claw their way back, particularly after losing skipper James Lentjes to a badly broken ankle which stopped play for seven minutes.
The home side scored in the final minute of the first half through All Black scrumhalf Aaron Smith to trail only 14-21, which was a stunning feat given the Highlanders had only had 37 percent of possession.
A 63rd-minute try by Highlanders replacement wing Scott Gregory and a penalty goal put the margin to within a converted try and set up a thrilling finale, with Scott Gregory and Meakes both yellow-carded.
The Highlanders lost Nareki for the final two minutes for the same offence as Gregory - taking out Dane Haylett-Petty as he went for a high ball.
The home side had one final line-out after full-time to try to score the match-winner but the Rebels held on for a well-deserved result.
The loss was the first for the Highlanders at home to an Australian team since a 2014 defeat by the Western Force.
RECAP: Highlanders v Rebels
Man of the match: Wing Andrew Kellaway scored two great tries while hooker Anaru Rangi was great in the physical exchanges, However, the award goes to flyhalf Matt Toomua who was exceptional on attack, especially in a dominant first half.
The scorers:
For Highlanders:
Tries: McKay, Smith, Gregory
Cons: Ioane 2
Pen: Ioane
For Rebels:
Tries: Meakes, Rangi, Kellaway, 2
Cons: Toomua 4
Yellow cards: Scott Gregory (Highlanders, 65 - foul play, taking the player out in the air); Billy Meakes (Rebels, 68 - repeated infringements, offside); Jona Nareki (Highlanders, 79 - foul play, taking the player out in the air)
Teams:
Highlanders: 15 Michael Collins, 14 Josh McKay, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Josh Ioane, 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Mitch Hunt, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Marino Mikaele Tu’u, 7 James Lentjes (captain), 6 Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 5 Jack Whetton, 4 Jesse Parete, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Ash Dixon, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Ayden Johnstone, 18 Jeff Thwaites, 19 Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20 Dillon Hunt, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Teihorangi Walden, 23 Scott Gregory.
Rebels: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty (captain), 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Tom English, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Ryan Louwrens, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Richard Hardwick, 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Matt Gibbon.
Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Cameron Orr, 18 Cabous Eloff, 19 Ross Haylett-Petty, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Frank Lomani, 22 Michael Wells, 23 Andrew Deegan.
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: James Doleman (New Zealand), James Munro (New Zealand)
TMO: Chris Hart (New Zealand)