The Western Force overcame a double from Melbourne Rebels winger Marika Koroibete to post a 31-22 win in Super Rugby's Battle of the Axe at nib Stadium.
The Rebels held a 15-14 lead at half-time thanks to two tries against the run of play from Fijian flyer Koroibete.
But the Force hit their straps shortly after the break, with tries to Richard Hardwick and Chance Peni setting the home side on their way towards victory.
The Force may have won the battle, but it remains to be seen which team will win the fight for survival.
The ARU wants to axe either the Force or Rebels ahead of next season, with both franchises adamant it won't be them.
Both teams preached unity heading into Friday's match but tempers threatened to boil over several times in the second half as players fought tooth and nail to secure an elusive win.
A scuffle even broke out as the final siren sounded.
But once everyone calmed down, it was back to being mates, with the two sides forming a big circle together in the middle of the pitch in a touching show of unity.
The result left the Rebels with just one win from 14 matches this season, while the Force (5-9) are still a chance to finish second in the Australian conference.
The Rebels had just 11 seconds inside the Force's 22 in the opening half - but they made sure it was magical whenever they got there.
Koroibete scored his first in the 22nd minute with a blistering run down the wing.
He scored gain on the stroke of half-time when he opened up the Force defence, offloaded to Mitch Inman, and then got the ball back to touch down.
The Force were left to rue several missed chances in the first half, with handling errors close to the line costing them dearly.
Peni was sent to the sin bin in the sixth minute for a head-high shoulder charge that left Rebels lock Steve Cummins dazed and confused.
Despite being a man down, the Force scored a try in the eighth minute when a great line-out move and a sharp inside ball from Richard Hardwick allowed Billy Meakes to stroll over.
Stand-in skipper Adam Coleman bustled over in the 36th minute to give the Force a 14-10 advantage.
Koroibete's second try hushed the home crowd, but they were roaring again shortly after the break when Hardwick did a roly poly out of the ruck to touch down.
And when Peni charged over in the 52nd minute as two of his teammates lay injured on the turf, it powered the Force to a 31-15 lead.
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