The Invercargill rain could not cool a hot running Adam Thomson and the Highlanders as they dominated the Waratahs at Rugby Park Stadium tonight.

Thomson led a supreme forward effort which dominated from the first whistle, setting the platform for three forward tries.

The Highlander kept the ball close to the forward pack all night and attacked the Waratahs in close and this exposed a fragile defensive line that gave up valuable meters for when the Highlanders had ball in hand. 

Dominating territory and position for 80 minutes led to two first half ties, and with field position in the second half a third try and two Matt Berquist penalties put the match well beyond the reach of the boys from NSW.

Highlanders 26 (A Thomson 2 Tries, Steve Setephano 1 Try, I Dagg 1 Con, M Berquist 3 Pen) beat Waratahs 10 (K Beale 1 Try, D Halangahu 1 Con 1 Pen).