The Hurricanes cast aside their early season rustiness as they beat the Chiefs 39-19 in a Super 14 rugby match at Wellington tonight.

The expansive running game of the Hurricanes found the Chiefs' defensive patterns wanting, while the home side's passes found their mark after being astray in their first two outings of the seasons.

Their forwards were more accurate at the breakdown too, especially in the first half, laying the platform for four tries and a 26-12 lead at the break.

The Hurricanes' linebreakers Jerry Collins, Rodney So'oialo and Ma'a Nonu took full toll, with the support play a feature in all four tries.

The Chiefs were kept in the game by tries to flanker Liam Messam and first five-eighth Stephen Donald, who ran in from halfway after replacement forward Toby Lynn won a rare turnover for his side.

The Chiefs scored first after the break and dominated a dour third quarter, but So'oialo revived his troops with some storming play, including a try with 20 minutes to go.

The game opened up again, but the Hurricanes were the more savvy side, with fellow loose forward Chris Masoe also scoring and Tane Tu'ipulotu wrapping it up with a dropped goal on fulltime.

The match featured one of the more comical tries of the season. Hurricanes prop John Schwalger was running towards a couple of defenders just past the Chiefs' 22 when everyone stopped for a whistle.

But referee Bryce Lawrence said it wasn't his and waved play on, with Schwalger making a few more free metres before being pulled down short of the line. A few mauls later, first-five Jimmy Gopperth scored.

The Chiefs, who had injury worries heading into the game, lost captain Jono Gibbes with a serious-looking leg injury in the first half.

It was their third consecutive loss for the season.

So'oialo said he was pleased his team stuck to their game plan and used the ball wisely, and felt the players had taken a step forward.

"We've got a few games under our belt now and the boys are starting to get their confidence, and that really shows in the result."

So'oialo said all the players performed and the forwards provided a good platform for halfback Piri Weepu and his outside backs to attack.

He said there was also lot of fire power on the bench, and that was evident with the use early on in the match of Alby Mathewson, who scored a try while filling in for Weepu while he was in the blood bin.

Result of the Super 14 rugby match between the Hurricanes and Chiefs at Wellington tonight:

Hurricanes 39 (Ma'a Nonu, Jimmy Gopperth, Alby Mathewson, Shannon Paku, Rodney So'oialo, Chris Masoe tries, Gopperth 3 con, Tane Tu'ipulotu dropped goal), Chiefs 19 (Liam Messam, Stephen Donald, Tanerau Latimer tries, Donald 2 con)

Hurricanes: Cory Jane, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Tane Tu'ipulotu, Hosea Gear, Jimmy Gopperth, Piri Weepu, Rodney So'oialo, Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Jason Eaton, Craig Clarke, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, John Schwalger. Reserves: Hikawera Elliot, Tim Fairbrother, Jeremy Thrush, Scott Waldrom, Alby Mathewson, Willie Ripia, Shannon Paku.

Chiefs: Sitiveni Sivivatu, Lelia Masaga, Mils Muliaina, Dwayne Sweeney, Viliame Waqaseduadua, Stephen Donald, David Bason, Sione Lauaki, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Kevin O'Neill, Jono Gibbes (captain), Ben Castle, Tom Willis, Simms Davison. Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Ben May, Toby Lynn, Faifili Levave, Matt France, Callum Bruce, Sosene Anesi.