Ajay Faleafaga of the Highlanders. Photo: photosport
The Highlanders have crashed to a fourth successive Super Rugby Pacific defeat, conceding six tries in a 47-31 loss to the in-form Rebels in Melbourne.
The cash-strapped Rebels again defied their off-field problems to notch a fifth win and climb into fourth place while the Highlanders slump to 10th, with a 2-5 record.
In an even contest, the Rebels took better advantage of their scoring opportunities, with young winger Darby Lancaster the standout in just his third game, crossing for a hat-trick of tries.
First five-eighth Carter Gordon crossed twice and finished with 20 points as the home side took advantage of too many Highlanders mistakes to secure a bonus point.
"It was an awesome way to finish this three-week block," said coach Kevin Foote, whose team will sit out a bye next week.
"The guys played some awesome rugby out there, they're really starting to find the combinations now.
"There's a lot of belief and really strong leadership so it's a brilliant way to finish off the block coming back from our (round five) loss to the Hurricanes."
Lancaster, an accomplished sevens performer for Australia, used his sheer speed to score the first and last tries of the opening half as Melbourne led 26-10 at the interval.
The Highlanders stayed in touch through second-half tries to Folau Fakatava and Ricky Jackson but their hopes slipped when Gordon crossed twice in the final quarter.
Highlanders coach Clarke Dermody said his team put themselves under pressure too often.
"We felt like we were always close enough to be in it, but left ourselves too much to do," he said.
The Highlanders are likely to be without Jonah Lowe for their next match against the Reds in Brisbane after the outside back suffered a knee injury in the opening minutes.
