Moana Pasifika's season is well and truly alive following an high-scoring shootout with the Highlanders - the 34-29 victory seeing Tana Umaga's side defeat the Dunedin franchise for the first time ever.
The result sees the Pasifika side claim their fifth win of the year, and climb over the likes of the Blues, Waratahs and Western Force into Super Rugby finals contention.
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The Sunday afternoon clash saw the lead change hands multiple times, with both sides going try for try for the majority of the match. The hosts got on the board early through Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, but the visitors returned fire three minutes later through Danny Toala - the first ten minutes setting the tone for the back-and-forth affair.
The Highlanders responded with a try to Jonah Lowe, before the visitors slowly took control of the ruck, their efforts rewarded with a try to Lalomilo Lalamilo - and with a Jackson Garden-Bachop conversion and a William Havili penalty, they would go into the break 17-12 up.
However, the second half saw the game break open into a frenetic contest, with Cam Millar reducing the deficit to three off a penalty that saw Havili sent to the bin.
However, as he has done all season, Ardie Savea produced a bit of magic to galvanise his side, scoring in the 44th minute to extend Moana's lead.
The Highlanders responded quickly, with Lowe picking up his second try off the back of a magic passage of play from All Black Folau Fakatava. Moana struck back ten minutes later, holding thanks to a strong try to loose forward Miracle Faiilagi.
Despite the stars of Moana Pasifika rising the tide, the hosts were able to close the gap through several successful conversions, before a brilliant rolling maul try saw Jack Taylor draw the hosts level, with replacement flyhalf Taine Robinson giving them the lead, 29-27 with less than ten minutes to go.
However, it would all come to naught, with a stunning charge down try to Melani Matavao giving the visitors back the lead - and a botched last ditch attack by the Highlanders after the siren put the result beyond doubt.
The result sees Moana Pasifika climb over the Blues into sixth place - their finals prospects significantly improving off the back of the result.
The Highlanders drop to tenth - six points outside finals contention - sustaining their third loss in as many weeks.
