The Hurricanes, who play the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday night, delivered a clinic in the art of finishing to beat the Highlanders 29-12 in a fierce Super Rugby match in Wellington.
Winger Ben Lam scored two of the Hurricanes' four tries on Saturday as they notched a third-straight win and handed the Highlanders their first defeat of the season.
The scores were locked 12-12 entering a final half-hour which the hosts dominated, scoring through a long-range penalty to Jordie Barrett and tries to reserve winger Vince Aso and Lam.
Both tries required expert, diving finishes in the corner from the wide men when tackled by the cover defence, as did Lam's first-half try.
It was the sort of finishing required as two of the competition's most resilient defensive sides went toe-to-toe, with the Hurricanes' ball-in-hand style prevailing against the kick-based Highlanders approach.
It was a fitting way for scrumhalf TJ Perenara to bring up 100 games for the Hurricanes, who have won seven of their last eight Kiwi derby games at home.
A dampener on the win is a possible serious rib injury to All Blacks flanker Ardie Savea, who hobbled out of the game soon before halftime.
In Tokyo the Chiefs were far too good for the Sunwolves winning 61-10.
RESULT
Hurricanes 29
Tries: Lam 2, Aso, Barrett
Cons: Barrett 3
Pens: Barrett 1
Highlanders 12
Tries: Naholo 2
Cons: Sopoaga 1
Pens: 0
