KEY POINTS:
The Highlanders shrugged off any stodgy reputation with a bonus-point victory last night at Carisbrook as a welcome back gift for their senior All Blacks.
After they were suffocated by the Blues last week, the Highlanders relished more chances against a wilting Reds side as Nick Evans and Viliame Waqaseduadua inspired the victory with a variety of dashing moves.
Victory will boost the Highlanders going into their bye week before Anton Oliver and Carl Hayman reclaim their places after All Black reconditioning.
The home side needed confirmation, twice, from the video referee to seal the win in a performance where they showed the value of strong planning, organisation and execution.
The final try for hooker Jason Macdonald round the front of the lineout underlined that competence.
The Highlanders were not extravagant. James Ryan, Clarke Dermody and Craig Newby drove the pack relentlessly, while Evans kicked regularly until he sensed the chance to open up with Waqaseduadua his most dangerous sidekick.
Any notion the Highlanders may have had about coasting to victory after the interval was abruptly destroyed when the Reds gambled on kicking for a lineout drive rather than at goal and captain John Roe scored from his own speculation.
The slight 18-10 lead had nearly evaporated. It was time for both sides to get desperate.
Replacement skipper Craig Newby, after Josh Blackie retired with a neck problem, then halfback Jimmy Cowan were both held up over the line by a pugnacious Reds defence.
Some of it was too dubious though for referee Marius Jonker who sent David Croft to the sinbin for repeated team infringements, a ban which will have him in front of the judiciary for his third offence this season.
With an extra-man advantage, the Highlanders straightaway worked a scrum move for fullback Glen Horton to scramble over after confirmation from the video referee.
The Highlanders sneered at those who have mocked their lack of attacking edge when midfielder Aaron Bancroft scored from an early planned scrum move.
It was training ground perfection as Evans whipped an inside ball to the trailing Waqaseduadua who made the break and then transferred possession for the try.
They used their dominant scrum and weight of possession to hold a territorial advantage but had trouble finding the tryline until new No 8 Ezra Taylor ploughed upfield after a turnover for Lucky Mulipola to score.
There has not been much productive attack from the Reds this season but they surpassed their rivals when they created a thrilling try to Berrick Barnes in a 40m counter-attack after a loose Highlanders clearing kick. Recent signing Andrew Walker was involved twice in the move which got the visitors back into a match which seemed to be slipping away from them.
* Highlanders: A. Bancroft, L. Mulipola, G. Horton, J. Macdonald tries; N. Evans 2 con, 2 pen, Bancroft, drop goal. Reds: B. Barnes, J. Roe, tries; Barnes 2 con, pen. Halftime: 18-10.
