The powerhouse scrum, which took three tightheads, was the foundation for Dunedin's eight-try win over Pirates at Hancock Park.
A tighthead just before halftime led to a try by first five-eighth Jesse Toto that gave Dunedin an 11-point buffer, 26-15, at the break.
Dynamic flanker Gareth Evans grabbed the ball, dashed into the red zone and Toto was up in support.
It was the strong Dunedin pack that finally put the boot into Pirates when it won a lineout midway through the second spell and drove 26m for a try by flanker Mitchell Zandstra.
That was the final straw that broke Pirates' resistance and the winning margin blew out after that.
Powerful prop Jacob Ellison, a key player in the Dunedin scrum, was also visible around the paddock with his ferocious tackling and work at the breakdown.
Dunedin blasted away at the start and two tries by fleet-footed fullback Liam Edwards gave Dunedin a 12-3 lead after 10 minutes.
Edwards also converted six of the tries and landed as penalty goal to score 25 points.
It was the strong scrum and the pace of the backline efficiently directed by Toto that was the key to Dunedin's win.
Centre Tumua Ioane added penetration in the midfield and loose forwards Zandstra and Evans were strong at the breakdown and with their support play.
The best Pirates players were backs Kieran Fowler, Glenn Dickson and Marshall Suckling, and openside flanker Naoki Kuwata.
Dunedin 55 (Liam Edwards 2, Pera Gibbs, Tumua Ioane, Jesse Toto, Mitchell Zandstra, Will Henry, Sam Anderson-Heather tries; Edwards 6 con, pen), Pirates 27 (Marshall Suckling 2, Poamo Aiiloilo, Paul Miller tries; Glenn Dickson 2 con, pen). Halftime: 26-15.
