Western Force winger David Smith scored a magical 55m runaway try as the Perth-based franchise came from behind to post a gutsy 21-14 Super Rugby victory over the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday night.

The injury-hit Force looked dead and buried after entering the halftime break trailing 14-3 on enemy territory.

But Smith sparked a remarkable turnaround, scoring two tries in the second half as the Force piled on 18 unanswered points to break a four-game winless streak.

Although his first try in the 66th minute was important in getting the Force back in the contest, it was his second five-pointer in the 74th minute that was the key moment.

After collecting the ball following a box kick from the Highlanders, Smith sprinted 55m, sliced through three defenders and brushed off a tackle from fullback Ben Smith before touching down in the corner.

The win was the first by an Australian side on New Zealand soil this season, ending a run of eight losses.

"It was fantastic stuff," a chuffed Force coach Richard Graham said.

"We showed the character we've shown all year. It's never been questioned amongst this group and I'm incredibly proud as a coach to be proud of it."

The Highlanders, wearing their new Kermit the Frog-coloured uniform to mark the final Super Rugby game at Carisbrook Stadium, were devastated after the final siren, knowing the loss all but ended their finals hopes.

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph sparked a trans-Tasman war of words earlier this year when he claimed Australian sides were playing schoolboy rugby.

But the Force showed they're more than happy to get their hands dirty, with their resolute defence and excellent work at the breakdown proving critical in the win.

"The Highlanders are one of the best teams in the competition at the breakdown, so we knew that was going to be big for us tonight and it's nice to come out here and not play like schoolboys," Force skipper Nathan Sharpe said in a slight dig at Joseph's comments.

The Force, already without several backline stars including James O'Connor and Brett Sheehan, suffered a major blow before the match when fullback Cameron Shepherd pulled out due to a hamstring injury.

Three penalties to Lima Sopoaga and a try to Ben Smith gave the Highlanders a comfortable 14-3 halftime lead, and it would have been even worse had it not been for the excellent defensive work of Smith, who bundled Adam Thomson over the touchline just as the Highlanders flanker appeared set to barge over for a try.

The Highlanders should have had their second try in the 45th minute when No.8 Nasi Manu touched down after winger Siale Piutau's pass rebounded off Matt Hodgson's head and into the try area.

But a knock-on was called against Piutau, robbing the Highlanders of five points, a conversion attempt and important momentum.

The Force seemed uplifted from the let-off and dominated the final 25 minutes of play, with their unrelenting attacks paying massive dividends as the Highlanders' defence crumbled under the pressure.

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