Super Rugby Trans-Tasman: Highlanders topple Western Force in Perth to extend Kiwi winning streak over Australia

The Highlanders have extended New Zealand's Super Rugby Trans-Tasman record over Australia to 7-0, defeating Western Force 25-15 in Perth on Friday.

A week after their 40-19 win over reigning Australian champions, the Reds, the Highlanders made the difficult away trip to Perth, but showed no signs of weariness in their performance.

The only blemish from the Highlanders' performance came as the visitors failed to notch a bonus point, now sitting one behind the Hurricanes in second on the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman ladder.

First-half tries to Jona Nareki, Ayden Johnstone and Scott Gregory had the Highlanders race out to a 20-10 lead at the break, with the Force on the scoresheet courtesy of Argentinian pair Tomas Cubelli who scored a try, and Domingo Miotti, who kicked a penalty.

Gregory had a second try midway through the second half, all but putting the game out of reach for the hosts.

A late try to Angus Wagner denied the Highlanders their bonus point, as well as added some respectability to the score. But ultimately, the Highlanders served up another example of the gulf between New Zealand and Australia at Super Rugby level.

"Our work-on for the year has been consistency," Highlanders coach Clarke Dermody says. 

"To be able to come over here after 20 hours of travel, prepare well and put away a team that plays 80 minutes of footy... I'm pretty happy."

The Highlanders will now head back across the Tasman to face the Rebels in Queenstown next Sunday afternoon.

Highlanders 25 (Jona Nareki, Ayden Johnstone, Scott Gregory (2) tries, Mitch Hunt con, pen

Force 15 (Tomas Cubelli, Angus Wagner tries, Domingo Miotti con, pen. HT: 20-10