Hurricanes snatch the win over the Highlanders

The visitors survived multiple late attacks from the Highlanders to vault themselves off the bottom of the ladder.

Ruben Love’s try in the 62nd minute gave them the slender two-point lead later after he answered a spectacular effort that was finished off by Aja Faleafaga.

Sam Gilbert had a penalty effort with 13 minutes to go but missed the chance from 25 metres out.

The Highlanders were back on the attack as the game’s momentum flipped from side to side.

They were held up with four minutes to go before the Hurricanes looked to have won a game, only for a not straight lineout to give them one last chance.

Tanielu Tele’a burst through the gap to get the Highlanders over halfway, setting up a drop goal effort from Gilbert that faded away.

The Hurricanes opened the scoring early through winger Kini Naholo, with their fast start halted thanks to a yellow card to Ngani Punvai.

Winger Caleb Tangitau put the hosts in front after a sensational intercept for the second week in a row right before half-time for an 11-8 lead at the break.

Cam Roigard restored the Hurricanes' lead when he put Bailyn Sullivan through a hole before backing him for the try.

Tangitau then hit back for the hosts when his bold decision to kick for himself off a penalty paid off for the replacement's Faleafaga try.

It set up the grandstand finish, with Gilbert twice missing chances to win the game.

Hurricanes co-captain Du’Plessis Kirifi was superb with a late turnover to help seal the win and claim their second win of the season.

Hurricanes 20 (Tries: Naholo, Roigard, Love; Cons: Godfrey; Pens: Godfrey) def Highlanders 18 (Tries: Tangitau, Faleafaga; Cons: Gilbert; Pens: Gilbert 2)

Highlanders: 15 Sam Gilbert, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 13 Tanielu Tele’a, 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (captain), 11 Joe Nareki, 10 Taine Robinson, 9 Nathan Hastie, 8 Nikora Broughton, 7 Sean Withy, 6 TK Howden, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Saula Ma’u, 2 Jack Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Soane Vikena, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Sefo Kautai, 19 Will Stodart, 20 Veveni Lasaqa, 21 James Arscott, 22 Ajay Faleafaga, 23 Jake Te Hiw.

Hurricanes: 15 Ruben Love, 14 Ngatungane Punivai, 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 11 Kini Naholo, 10 Harry Godfrey, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-captain), 6 Brad Shields (co-captain), 5 Zach Gallagher, 4 Caleb Delany, 3 Tevita Mafileo,, 2 Jacob Devery, 1 Xavier Numia.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Braydon Iose, 21 Jordi Viljoen, 22 Riley Hohepa, 23 Fatafehi Fineanganofo.

Referee: Angus Mabey
Assistant referees: Mike Winter, Warwick Lahmert
TMO: Glenn Newman