HIGHLANDERS 51 - 12 REBELS
FULLTIME: The Highlanders make it 50 as Fletcher Smith lands the conversion. It was one-way traffic in this match. The Rebels have been destroyed in Dunedin.
80mins: TRY HIGHLANDERS: And the home side do score one last try as replacement hooker Greg Pleasants-Tate crashes over, beating three tackles in the process.
79mins: Rebels miss throw the pass inside their 22 and the Highlanders want one more try as the siren sounds.
78mins: TRY REBELS: Reece Hodge scores the Rebels second try of the night. The Rebels spread the ball towards the right and Hodge juggles the ball but manages to hold on to score.
77mins: Rebels have another attacking scrum but this time spread the ball right.
75mins: The Rebels have an attacking scrum and they shift the ball towards the wing of Marika Koroibete, who fails to score. If he was still in the NRL he would have scored that easily but was hesitant that time.
73mins: The Rebels look to do something with possession but struggle to make any ground, in fact, the are losing it. Eventually, the ball pops out, but the referee awards a penalty to the Rebels.
71mins: TRY HIGHLANDERS: Malakai Fekitoa scores his second of the night. The Rebels have possession, but Fekitoa reads the pass perfectly and runs over the line to secure the win for the Landers.
69mins: Rebels win a lineout on halfway and spread the ball left. They then try attack through the middle but luke Whitelock makes another fantastic tackle.
67mins: Highlanders have a scrum just inside their half, but quickly make their way into Rebels territory. TheRebels turn the ball over and Garden-Bachop clears the ball.
64mins: Both sides make a number of changes. Tupou Sopoaga and Teihorangi Walden come on for the Highlanders while Siliva Siliva comes on for the Rebels.
61mins: TRY HIGHLANDERS: Gareth Evans scores a fantastic try for the home side. Evans revives a pinpoint pass which puts him in a massive hole and the flanker runs 25 metres to score the Highlanders fourth try of the match.
59mins: Both sides now exchanging kicks. Eventually Tevita Li gets possession and decides it is time to take a run.
57mins: TRY HIGHLANDERS: The try is awarded to the Barracuda and the Highlanders have their third five-pointer of the night.
57mins: Richard Buckman takes the quick tap and goes over but the referee wants to take a look as he thinks Buckman might have bounced the ball.
56mins: The Highlanders make a mistake at the scrum and the Rebels kick the ball away, but the referee was playing an advantage, so the Highlanders take a quick tap.
55mins: The Highlanders go over the line, but it is held up. A Rebels player was offside so the Highlanders will take another scrum close to the goalposts.
53mins: The Rebels make a mistake from the restart, and the Highlanders once again have an attacking scrum. They really need to score here as they have had numerous chances to score, but have failed to convert.
51mins: TRY REBELS: The Rebels score a try from nothing. Tom English gets a nice inside ball and outruns the Highlander back three to score the Rebels first points of the night. Fantastic try. Rebels edging their way back into the game.
49mins: Aaron Smith clear the ball and Rebels fullback Jack Debreczeni drops the ball and the Highlanders regather possession. But on the following play, the Rebels win a penalty.
47mins: The Highlanders spill the ball and Marika Koroibete clears the ball but it doens't go far as the Highlanders go right back on the attack. A poor pass by the Highlanders and the Rebels football kick the ball downfield and they regather. But nobody is supporting so the Highlanders steal the ball at the breakdown.
46mins: Highlanders have an attacking lineout and they enter the Rebels 22. The home side attack down the left wing, before shifting back infield as they edge towards the five-metre line.
44mins: Rebels make another mistake after Luke Whitelock makes a bone-crunching tackle.
42mins: PENALTY GOAL HIGHLANDERS: Marty Banks lands his third penalty goal of the night and the Landers now lead 23-0.
42mins: The Highlanders win the first penalty of the second half as the Rebels failed to release the ball and the home side will go for the points.
40mins: The second half is underway. Marty Banks gets it started by kicking the ball deep.
HALFTIME: Two tries to the Highlanders give them a handy 20-0 lead at the break. Both Aaron Smith and Marty banks have been impressive so far,
39mins: The Rebels have space down the right wing, but fail to make much ground and Jackson Garden-Bachop is forced to clear, but he fails to make touch. The Highlanders will attack one final time before the break.
39mins: They can not score as little errors are starting to creep into the Highlanders game. Fekitoa drops the ball on this occasion.
37mins: The Rebels do win the lineout but they drop the ball from the lineout so the Highlanders have a scrum 10 metres from the try line. Ca they score their third try here?
36mins: Highlanders have possession centre field and they spread the ball towards the wing of Tevita Li who kicks the ball towards the goal line, but the ball bounces towards touch and the Rebels will have a lineout they have to win.
34mins: The Rebels win a penalty and clear the ball downfield. Tevita Li could not release the ball when he was tackled. The away side kick the ball away after the win the lineout.
32mins: The Highlanders attack for 15 phases, but the referee stops play for a penalty. They opt for a scrum.
31mins: Rebels hooker James Hanson does the exact same thing Jordy Read did just moments ago and the Highlanders have another attacking lineout.
30mins: The Reels turn the ball over and boot the ball into touch. But Liam Coltman overthrows the ball and the Rebels have possession.
29mins: The Highlanders kick the ball towards the corner and Jordy Reid goes to pick up the ball, but he was standing in touch and the Highlanders will look for their third try as they are 15 metres from the line.
27mins: The Rebels have possession and are hitting the ball up through the middle of the field, but they are making little ground.
26mins: The Rebels are struggling to complete the basics in Dunedin as they throw a forward pass. They are struggliung badly and they are in for a long night.
24mins: PENALTY GOAL HIGHLANDERS: Marty Banks extends the lead for the Highlanders and the domiantion continues in Dunedin.
23mins: Highlanders win a penalty and the home side will go for the points.
21mins: Aaron Smith puts in another great kick and Gareth Evans wins the race to the ball but is tackled into touch. Smith's kicking has been perfect so far tonight.
20mins: The Rebels fail to do anything with the ball as it pops out in the breakdown and the Highlanders win a penalty. This has been one-way traffic during the opening quarter.
19mins: Both sides exchanging kicks at the moment. But Patrick Osbourne gets the ball and goes for a run. Two players later the Rebels win a penalty as the Highlanders did not release the ball and the away side will kick towards touch.
16mins: TRY HIGHLANDERS: Captain Luke Whitelock scores under the posts after Tom Franklin threw an offload to his fellow forward who dived over.
15mins: The Highlanders creep into the 22 after five phases and now attack down the left wing before shifting back towards the posts.
14mins: Highlanders win another penalty and Marty Banks kicks the ball downfield and the home side will have a lineout just outside the Rebels 22.
12mins: TRY HIGHLANDERS: The Highlanders push the ball towards the right wing and Richard Buckman is tackled but gets the offload way and Malakai Fekitoa scores under the posts.
11mins: Rebels have a scrum inside their 22 and the Highlanders turn it over after a massive push.
9mins: Reece Hodge throws a poor pass and the Highlanders go on the counter attack. Marty Banks notices space downfield and smashes the ball towards the corner. The Rebels just win the race to the ball and it will be a 22 dropout.
8mins: Aaron Smith kick the ball downfield and Marika Koroibete drops the ball cold near the halfway line and the Highlanders will have another scrum.
6mins: Highlanders make a mistake from the restart and the Rebels now have prime attacking position, but they knock the ball forward as they looked the spread the ball to the left. Highlanders scrum.
5mins: PENALTY GOAL HIGHLANDERS: Marty Banks scores the first points of the night, calmly slotting the penalty goal.
4mins: The Highlanders fail to do anything off the penalty as the maul collapsed and the Rebels have a scrum. However, the Highlanders win a scrum penalty.
3mins: Highlanders win an early penalty after the Rebels fail to release the ball. The penalty is right on the halfway line and Marty Banks will kick it into touch.
2mins: Matt Faddes boots the ball into touch and the Rebels are forced to make an early change. Dominic Day comes on and Steve Cummins heads to the bench.
1mins: Aaron Smith makes an early break through the middle and the Highlanders approach the halfway line. But the Rebels gain possession and the Rebels look to attack down the left wing.
KICKOFF: We are underway in Dunedin. The Rebels get the match started.
7:33 pm: The Rebels are the first team on the field. Aaron Smith leads the Highlanders out in his 100th game for the club.
7:32 pm: Luke Whitelock will captian the Highlanders.
7:30 pm: Ben Smith has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Matt Faddes comes into the starting side while Teihorangi Walden is on the bench.
Hello and welcome to live updates of the Highlander hosting the Melbourne Rebels at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
We bring you live streaming written commentary, video highlights (be sure to refresh your browser) and all the action. VIDEO will be available as soon as the final whistle goes.
Commentary will start from around 7:30pm (NZT). In the meantime check out the video above for an interview with Highlanders coach Tony Brown talking about Aaron Smith playing his 100th match for the club.
Lineups
Highlanders
1. Aki Seiuli, 2. Liam Coltman, 3. Siate Tokolahi, 4. Joe Wheeler, 5.Tom Franklin, 6. Gareth Evans, 7. Dillon Hunt, 8. Luke Whitelock (c), 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Marty Banks, 11. Patrick Osborne, 12. Richard Buckman, 13. Malakai Fekitoa, 14. Tevita Li, 15. Matt Faddes
Reserves - 16. Greg Pleasants-Tate, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Siosuia Halanukonuka, 19. Elliot Dixon, 20. Tupou Sopoaga, 21. Kayne Hammington, 22. Fletcher Smith, 23. Teihorangi Walden
Rebels
1. Fereti Sa’aga, 2. James Hanson, 3. Laurie Weeks, 4. Culum Retallick, 5. Steve Cummins, 6. Jordy Reid, 7. Colby Fainga’a, 8. Amanaki Mafi, 9. Nic Stirzaker (c), 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Reece Hodge, 13. Mitch Inman, 14. Tom English, 15. Jack Debreczeni
Reserves - 16. Siliva Siliva, 17. Tom Moloney, 18. Tyrel Lomax, 19. Dominic Day, 20. Lopeti Timani, 21. Jake Schatz, 22. Esei Haangana, 23. Mick Snowden, 24. Sione Tuipulotu, 25. Ben Volavola
Match facts and stats
Referee: Glen Jackson
Assistants: Brendon Pickerill and Angus Mabey
TMO: Aaron Paterson
The Highlanders have won four of the five prior games between these teams, including each of their last two; three of their four wins have come by a margin of greater than 20 points.
The Highlanders have won each of their last five games on home turf against Australian opposition, though they’ve won by an average margin of just eight points.
This will be the Rebels 15th excursion for a Super Rugby fixture in New Zealand; the Melbourne side have managed only one win from their previous 14 such games.
Reece Hodge is one of only five players, and the only Australian-based player, to have kicked a goal from his own side of the halfway line this season.
Past meetings
Head to head: Played 5, Highlanders 4, Rebels 1, draws 0
In Dunedin: Played 2, Highlanders 0, Rebels 0, draws 0
Last time played: Highlanders 27 def Rebels 3, March 26 2016
Head-to-head: Highlanders - $1.06 Rebels - $8.00
Pre-match banter - Aaron Smith to bring up century for Highlanders against Rebels
A mentally recuperating Aaron Smith will raise his Super Rugby century when the Highlanders host the Rebels in Dunedin.
All Blacks halfback Smith will become the fifth player from the southern franchise to reach 100 games, following Anton Oliver (127), current captain Ben Smith (123), Jimmy Cowan (108) and Chris King (106).
The milestone on Friday will be appreciated by the 28-year-old, who addressed media this week for the first time since the infamous "toilet tryst" with a woman at Christchurch Airport last October, which derailed his form and confidence.
Smith spoke of his rehabilitation and the return to the love of rugby which he lost during a public fall from grace.
Coach Tony Brown says no player deserves plaudits more than his brilliant halfback.
"Aaron has been the best nine in the world for some time now and is such an important part of our game," Brown said.
"He joins a small group of amazing rugby players and he deserves his place in that company, he's earned his selection in every one of those 100 games through hard work and consistency of performance."
The Highlanders are fielding five starting changes from the side who scraped past the Brumbies 18-13 in Canberra, leaving them with a 2-3 win-loss record.
First five-eighth Marty Banks is handed his first start of the season, pushing Fletcher Smith to the reserves bench.
The other backline change is the recall of winger Tevita Li for Patelesio Tomkinson, who made his debut in Canberra.
Flanker Gareth Evans and lock Joe Wheeler replace Elliot Dixon and Alex Ainley respectively while last weekend's late try-scoring here Aki Seiuli succeeds Daniel Lienert-Brown at prop.
A notable inclusion on the bench is uncapped Wellington-born loose forward Tupou Sopoaga, who played three seasons of NRL with Cronulla and Penrith before returning to rugby union. He is the brother of injured Highlanders playmaker Lima Sopoaga.
While the Highlanders sit last in the New Zealand conference, they have improved to 11th overall.
The Rebels are 18th and last overall, having lost their four opening games. That includes a heartbreaking 32-25 home defeat against the Waratahs last weekend, when they blew a 19-point halftime lead.