MELBOURNE: The Melbourne Rebels claimed a season-high sixth victory with a 42-22 Super Rugby win over the Auckland Blues in Melbourne on Friday.
The improving Rebels maintained their charge to the playoffs with a bonus-point five tries to three win over the Blues to lie just outside the top-six play-off positions.
It was also a record night for the Rebels' skipper Scott Higginbotham, whose 30th career try is the most by any forward in Super Rugby history.
Mike Harris kicked four conversions and three penalty goals.
The Rebels, who upset two-time winners Waikato Chiefs 16-15 at home last week, completed another Kiwi scalp with their thorough win over the Blues.
Melbourne led 18-10 at half-time and only led 18-17 early in the second half before pulling away from the Blues with three converted tries.
The Rebels, coached by Tony McGahan, also showed their growing depth of talent with Colby Fainga'a, who was brilliant in attack and defence as a replacement for injured Wallabies back-rower Sean McMahon.
Openside flanker Jordy Reid also had a big game with a game-high 18 tackles and made some crucial turnovers.
Fainga'a scored the Rebels' opening try in the 10th minute with the scoring movement initiated by an intercept from fly-half Jack Debreczeni.
The Blues showed their willingness to throw the ball around and were rewarded in the 27th minute through winger Melani Nanai.
An inside ball from hooker Keven Mealamu released centre Francis Saili, whose long ball sent the flying winger over to close the lead to a point.
Melbourne extended their lead with a try by prop Toby Smith, who caught the Blues napping with a quick lineout throw from hooker Pat Leafa, with which he charged 35 metres to touch down.
Auckland again closed the margin to one point at 18-17 through replacement scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park but three minutes later Higginbotham was over for his record-breaking try.
The Blues struck again with George Moala burrowing over the line but again the Rebels hit back with centre Dom Shipperley collecting the bonus-point try and then Debreczeni added their fifth try in the 78th minute to cap a memorable night for the home team.
"It was a challenging game, credit to the Blues, they play a great style of rugby and they pushed us for 80 minutes," skipper Higginbotham said.
"It's good to get the record try (for a forward) but it's on the back of playing with a great bunch of blokes and it's a lot of fun being out there with them."
Blues captain Steven Luatua said: "A few calls didn't go our way, but full credit to the Rebels for pouncing on our mistakes and they put 40 points on us."
The Rebels are away to the Queensland Reds next week, while the Blues host South Africa's Northern Bulls.
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