The Highlanders have begun their pre-season campaign with a come-from-behind 59-38 win over the Waratahs at Molyneux Park in Alexandra on Friday.
The Kiwi side ran in nine tries to six in a game which was split into three 30-minute periods.
The Waratahs led 31-14 midway through the second third before the Highlanders roared to life to seal the win in front of over 5000 fans.
Both teams were missing their top-line international players who are being rested ahead of a gruelling season.
Winger Tevita Nabura led the way for the Highlanders with a hat-trick while Liam Coltman, Dillon Hunt, Luke Whitelock, Josh McKay, Matt Faddes and Sio Tomkinson also scored five-pointers for the hosts.
The goal-kickers landed six conversions from nine attempts.
For the Waratahs, Lalakai Foketi scored three times while JP Sauni, Cam Clark and Jake Gordon also bagged tries.
Nabura's three tries was a nice way to brush aside the memory of last year's Super Rugby match against the Waratahs in Sydney when he was sent off for kicking Cam Clark in the face.
There was no injuries to come out of the game.
The Highlanders will play their final warm-up game against the Crusaders in Southbridge next Friday.
On Saturday, the Crusaders face the Hurricanes in their first pre-season match in Levin, while the Blues face the Chiefs in Kaikohe in Northland.
The Highlanders open their Super Rugby season on February 15 when they travel to Hamilton to face the Chiefs.
Newshub.
