A Salesi Rayasi double has helped the Hurricanes to a hard-fought 29-14 Super Rugby Pacific win over the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
After a typical Kiwi derby arm-wrestle in the first half, the visitors upped the ante after the break with three tries to subdue the Southerners.
It took almost a quarter gone for either team to break the shackles, with the visitors striking first through Rayasi.
After more than 15 phases and with the penalty advantage, the Hurricanes found their winger, who showed the ball before riding the collision and stretching for the try.
The Hurricanes asked plenty of the Highlanders' defence in the early stages, with captain Billy Harmon racking up 11 tackles inside the first 18 minutes.
But the visitors found reprieve with their scrum, with All Blacks Ethan de Groot getting the better of his opposite Tyrel Lomax.
With all the momentum with them at the set piece, the Highlanders turned down an easy shot for three points and opted for a scrum just five metres out.
No.8 Hugh Renton needed no further invite, charging off the back of the scrum and crashing over with the Hurricanes halves pairing unable to stop him.
Ill-discipline proved to be the Hurricanes' Achilles heel in the first half, conceding seven penalties before even the 30th-minute mark.
But their defence held firm to deny the Highlanders another score, and go the other end to push in front off the boot of Jordie Barrett.
Harmon was penalised for going off his feet, allowing Barrett a simple shot for three, which he made no mistake for the 8-7 halftime lead.
The break seemed to have done wonders for the Hurricanes, with a much-more polished display on attack in the second half.
Lock James Blackwell navigated the goalposts well to crash over for the try after a strong run by midfielder Billy Proctor.
Just moments later and the Hurricanes were in again, with the standout of the season, halfback Cam Roigaard showing tremendous reading of the game to intercept Folau Fakatava's pass and race away over 60 metres to score.
With momentum well and truly in their favour, Rayasi grabbed his second following an enterprising run by replacement halfback Jamie Booth.
The Highlanders would have the last say with Harmon grabbing a well-deserved five-pointer, but it was too little, too late, as the Hurricanes secured the win.
But coach Jason Holland will be disappointed with his team's inability to grab a bonus point with several blown opportunities late in the fixture.
Hurricanes 29 (Rayasi 2, Blackwell, Roigaard tries; Barrett 3 con, 1 pen) Highlanders 14 (Renton, Harmon tries; Gilbert 1 con)
