The Highlanders' Super Rugby play-off ambitions are all but over after a second loss in as many weeks in Dunedin on Friday night.
Wearing their new bright green uniform to mark the final Super Rugby game at Carisbrook, the Highlanders were left devastated after the Western Force came from behind to post a 21-14 victory on the back of a 55-metre runaway try by Force winger David Smith.
The southerners now have only a slim mathmatical chance of making the finals after the injury-hit Perth-based franchise came from 14-3 down at half-time.
The Force looked dead and buried before former Hurricanes winger Smith sparked a remarkable turnaround, scoring two tries in the second half as the Force piled on 18 unanswered points to break a four-game winless streak.
The win was the first by an Australian side on New Zealand soil this season, ending a run of eight losses.
The Highlanders were devastated after the final siren, knowing the loss all but ended their finals hopes.
Meanwhile the Stormers and Bulls posted wins over the Rebels and Waratahs respectively.
Tonight the Hurricanes host the Lions in Wellington before the Blues take on the Chiefs at Eden Park.
