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The Melbourne Rebels have held on for a dramatic 28-22 win over the Highlanders in their first Super Rugby triumph in Dunedin.

Two runaway tries to winger Andrew Kellaway have helped Melbourne to a thrilling first Super Rugby win in Dunedin, beating the Highlanders 28-22.

The former NSW Waratahs' flyer, who joined the Rebels this season after an overseas playing stint, scored a long-distance try in each half of Friday's absorbing contest.

Melbourne skipper Dane Haylett-Petty said his team were made to work until the final hooter.

"I'm really proud of the boys. That was a tough Highlanders team and it went back and forth," Haylett-Petty said.

"We had all the momentum in the first half and they had everything in the second and we struggled to hold onto the ball.

"This will give us confidence and a bit of reward as the boys worked really hard this week."

In the 21st minute, Kellaway pounced on a Highlanders error and burnt rival winger Jona Nerike in an 80m effort, before intercepting an Aaron Smith pass in the 52nd minute to grab his second.

The 24-year-old played 25 matches over three seasons for the Waratahs but failed to really make his mark on the competition.

The Rebels made a flying start, scoring at a point a minute to lead 21-0 midway through the first half, with centre Billy Meakes and rampaging hooker Anaru Rangi both touching down.

With their big men doing plenty of damage, they dominated the set piece and showed plenty of energy in defence.

But the Highlanders showed courage to claw their way back, particularly after losing skipper James Lentjes to a badly broken ankle which stopped play for seven minutes.

The home side scored in the final minute of the first half through All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith to trail only 21-14, which was a stunning feat given the Highlanders had only had 37 per cent of possession.

A 63rd-minute try by Highlanders replacement winger Scott Gregory and a penalty goal put the margin to within a converted try and set up a thrilling finale, with Scott Gregory and Meakes both yellow-carded.

The Highlanders lost Nareki for the final two minutes for the same offence as Gregory - taking out Haylett-Petty as he went for a high ball.

The home side had one final lineout after fulltime to try to score the match-winner but the Rebels held on for a well-deserved result.

The loss was the first for the Highlanders at home to an Australian team since a 2014 defeat by the Western Force.