The Fijian Drua have stunned the Hurricanes to claim their second heavyweight scalp of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
Kemu Valetini slotted two clutch late penalties to earn his side a 27-24 victory in front of a wild crowd in Suva, backing up their win over the defending champion Crusaders in March.
It was a thoroughly deserved win for the hosts, who - despite being outscored three tries to four - put forth another glowing example of their trademark expansive rugby against the second-placed Hurricanes - another hugely encouraging performance in what's turning into a breakthrough campaign for the Pacific Islanders.
The hosts struck first, when wing Taniela Rakuro powered his way through multiple defenders to dot down out wide in the 18th minute.
The Hurricanes finally found their reply in the 30th minute through Julian Savea, who cashed in on an overlap to score in the corner in his 150th match for the franchise.
The Drua almost had a second try moments before halftime, only for a sweeping 70m movement sparked by outstanding halfback Frank Lomani to break down with the ball poised to touch the chalk, as the Drua clung to a narrow 7-5 edge at the break.
The visitors claimed their first lead of the game just minutes into the second stanza, as Savea cut inside some cover defence to earn his second try of the day.
The Drua's response was immediate, as Rakuro latched on to a brilliant overhead pass to dive in for his second, which was quickly followed by a bustling charge by Xavier Numia to crash over next to the uprights and restore the Canes' lead to 17-14.
DuPlessis Kirifi wrestled his way under the black dot for the Canes, before the Drua kept in touch one the scoreboard with a well worked try to substitute Meli Derenalagi.
Valetini nailed a penalty from out wide to tie the score at 25-25 with five minutes to play.
After Hurricanes' lock Isaia Walker-Leawere was shown a red card for his second professional foul with a minute to play, Valetini stepped up to slot a tricky penalty from 30m on the angle to cause bedlam at ANZ Stadium.
The result moves the Drua up to seventh on the ladder, while the Hurricanes remain in provisional second place.
The Fijians now travel to Perth to face the Force. The Hurricanes return home to host Moana Pasifika.
Fijian Drua 27 (Rakuro 2, Derenalagi tries; Lomani 2 cons, Valetini 2 pens) Hurricanes 24 (Savea 2, Numia, Kirifi tries; Barrett 2 cons)
