The Melbourne Rebels booked their third consecutive win this season after a 47-31 bonus point victory over the Highlanders in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific last night.
The Rebels have never played finals in a full competition but have a maiden series in sight after scoring seven tries to four.
Flyhalf Carter Gordon scored two tries, and his combination with South African halfback Ryan Louwrens was key to the crucial win while Melbourne's pack continued to dominate.
Dabey Lancaster scored the opening and closing tries of the first half to help the Rebels lead 26-10 at halftime.
His second was equally impressive, bursting onto a tip-on pass from fullback Andrew Kellaway and racing to the line to score his second try.
Rebels winger Lachie Anderson was awarded a penalty try following the deliberate knock-on by Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, who got a yellow card.
In the second half, the Highlanders scored a try to halfback, Folau Fakatava, followed by Ricky Jackson.
Ethan de Groot scored for the Highlanders with six minutes remaining, but Dabey Lancaster capped the win when he scooped up a loose ball and dashed 55 metres for his third try.
In another result, the Hurricanes defeated the Chiefs 36-23.
