ACT Brumbies have made another big Super Rugby Pacific statement for Australian rugby, surviving a barrage of Highlanders attack to beat the southerners 27-21 at Dunedin.
Brumbies replacement hooker Lachlan Lonergan scored a 78th-minute try to secure the Canberra side's third win of the season and their first in the south since 2013.
For the Highlanders, it marks their second loss of the season in what was a disappointing second-half display, after throwing everything at the Brumbies in the first half. Still, they could only manage an 11-7 lead going into the break.
The Brumbies came out firing in the second half, dotting down in the 44th minute through winger Corey Toole. A conversion and two penalties from Noah Lolesio helped extend the deficit to six.
While a brilliant Billy Harmon try with 20 minutes to go kept the Highlanders in the game at 18-17, poor discipline allowed Lolesio another penalty five minutes later, before Lonergan's try sealed the deal.
The Highlanders secured a bonus point by finishing within seven, through a Sam Gilbert penalty in added time.
ACT Brumbies 27 (Wright, Toole, L Lonergan tries; Lolesia 3 conversions & 2 penalties) Highlanders 20 (Broughton, Harmon tries; Gilbert conversion & 3 penalties)
