The Highlanders thrashed the Western Force with a nine-try thumping, beating them 61-10  in Dunedin in Super Rugby Pacific.

Sam Gilbert guided them with an outstanding performance in his first run at first-five since his schoolboy days, setting up the attack nicely and kicking eight conversions from eight attempts.

The bonus-point win means the Highlanders are now seven points clear of the ninth-placed Melbourne Rebels, who play the Chiefs on Sunday.

😲 Speechless. #HIGvFOR #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/C4wxxPEEUO

— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) May 13, 2022

[Sourcee: stuff.co.nz]