The Highlanders have come from behind to beat the New South Wales Waratahs 26-19 in their Super Rugby clash in Dunedin.
Ash Dixon looks for a gap while Highlanders skipper Ben Smith backs up Photo: Photosport
The defending champions were up 12-0 after two tries in the opening 19 minutes, but the Waratahs then shipped 26 straight points in the next 39 minutes as the Highlanders ran in four tries.
The next time the Sydneysiders got close to scoring again was when their rolling maul was held up over the line in the 75th minute.
But the Waratahs wouldn't be denied with just over two minutes left on the clock, a long-range try bringing the scores back to within a converted try for a draw.
However the Highlanders held on for the 26-19 win to deny the visitors a club record.
Unbeaten on the road since round 14 last year, the Waratahs had been chasing six straight away wins for the first time in 20 seasons of Super Rugby.
Instead, their second defeat from four starts this campaign leaves Michael Cheika's titleholders languishing mid-table ahead of next weekend's blockbuster derby with Australian conference leaders the Brumbies at Allianz Stadium.
