Sam Gilbert (centre) is congratulated after kicking the winning penalty goal for the Highlanders against the Rebels. Photo: Photosport
The Highlanders have snapped their five-match losing streak in Super Rugby Pacific with a last-gasp 20-17 win over the Rebels in Dunedin.
Second five-eighth Sam Gilbert broke the deadlock with a penalty goal, four minutes after the final hooter had sounded, capping a close contest between two teams scrapping to earn a berth in the top eight.
The New Zealand side climbed to eighth with their fourth win of the season while the Rebels, who have won three games, slump to second-last in the 12-team competition.
Regular fullback Gilbert, playing out of position, held his nerve to kick two penalties in the final 10 minutes, a period when the Rebels were down to 14 players following a yellow card shown to replacement hooker Jordan Uelese for an early tackle on Connor Garden-Bachop.
The home side shouldn't have needed Gilbert's heroics, with flanker James Lentjes denied what looked like a certain game-winning try when he was held up over the line by Melbourne fullback Andrew Kellaway near the end.
Gilbert himself had a try disallowed in the opening minutes, despite appearing to ground the ball over the line before it was overruled by match officials.
Tries to Garden-Bachop and impressive prop Ethan de Groot gave the Highlanders a 14-7 halftime lead but their attack stuttered, allowing the Rebels back into the match through a converted try to Stacey Ili and a penalty goal from Reece Hodge.
Highlanders captain Billy Harmon conceded his team were below their best but the result gives them much-needed momentum heading into a crucial match next week against the seventh-ranked Reds.
That game in Dunedin will be a farewell home match for long-serving All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith.
- RNZ