Sevens recruit powers Rebels into top four after win over Highlanders

A hat-trick from exciting youngster Darby Lancaster has helped Melbourne march into the Super Rugby Pacific top four after a 47-31 bonus-point victory over the Highlanders.

The Rebels have never played finals in a full competition but have a maiden series in sight after scoring seven tries to four at AAMI Park on Saturday night to book their third successive win.

"It was an awesome way to finish this three-week block," said coach Kevin Foote, with his team on a bye next round.

"The guys played some awesome rugby out there, (they're) really starting to find the combinations now.

"There's a lot of belief and really strong leadership so it's a brilliant way to finish off the block coming back from our loss to the Hurricanes (in round five)."

Five-eighth Carter Gordon bagged two tries, his combination with South African halfback Ryan Louwrens key to the crucial win, while Melbourne's pack continued to dominate.

Lancaster may have the luxury of choosing between the Wallabies and the Olympics if he continues his trajectory, with the 20-year-old a stand-out in just his third Super game.

The Kempsey product signed a two-year deal with the Rebels but has a clause that allows him to play sevens in the Paris Games if selected, having been a regular member of the national team before switching to the 15-player game.

He scored the opening and closing tries of the first half to set up a 26-10 lead heading into the break, showing off his explosive pace and skills.

Lancaster grubbered ahead, beating star Highlanders fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens to the ball.

His second was equally impressive, bursting on to a tip-on pass from fullback Andrew Kellaway and racing to the line.

"He's got out-and-out speed, he's got real gas," Foote said of Lancaster.

"He backs himself and he's come out of that sevens circuit, so it's the way he finishes and he's no nonsense. He's from the country, and he just smiles and gets on with it."

Melbourne's first-half haul included a penalty try when a pass to Lachie Anderson, who had a clear run to the line, was deliberately knocked-on by Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, who also got a yellow card.

Looking to break into the finals-bound top eight themselves, the Highlanders kept coming, halfback Folau Fakatava crossing in the 56th minute followed by Ricky Jackson 12 minutes later.

But Gordon's double, helped by the hard-running Kellaway and Louwrens, kept the Rebels on top.

Ethan de Groot scored for the Highlanders with six minutes remaining but Lancaster capped the win when he scooped up a loose ball and dashed 55 metres for his third of the night.

Highlanders coach Clarke Dermody said his team put themselves under pressure too often.

"We felt like we were always close enough to be in it, but left ourselves too much to do," he said.

The Dunedin-based side next face the Queensland Reds in Brisbane and are likely to be without centre Jonah Lowe, who suffered a knee injury in the opening minutes.