Highlanders prop Tony Woodcock makes a break as the visitors established a healthy first-half lead
© Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

Match Pack: Crusaders run riot over Chiefs

Matches: Hurricanes 44 - 49 Highlanders

The Highlanders have moved from the foot of the Super Rugby ladder with a tight 49-44 win against the Hurricanes in a 90-point thriller at Westpac Stadium.

The Highlanders raced out to a 27-6 lead thanks to a three-try burst in the opening 20 minutes. Orchestrated by a brilliant Colin Slade, it looked as if the Highlanders' attack would only be bettered by some strong southern defence.

Yet it was a yellow card to scrum-half Aaron Smith in the second half that allowed the Hurricanes to dream as they reduced the deficit to 27-35 with 20 minutes to play.

More defensive leaks from both sides saw the match continue to produce tries from nowhere as two teams with nothing to play for but pride battled to the end in an entertaining if not error-riddled encounter.

Slade had a superb 60 minutes on the field and co-ordinated at least two of the Highlanders opening three tries with an astute kicking performance. By contrast, it was the Hurricanes' ability to attack from nowhere that saw them inch ever close to the Highlanders total and when Bronson Murray was yellow carded with three minutes to go, the hosts stared at an eight-point deficit.

Beauden Barrett duly converted and reduced the gap to five with a minute to play and a scrum to lay down. But it wasn't enough as the Highlanders held on for their first away win of the season in seven attempts. The victory moves the Highlanders above the Southern Kings and into second-last position.

A first quarter blitz saw the Highlanders race out to a 27-6 lead as the Highlanders dined out on loose tackles and poor finishing from the Hurricanes. Slade started the rot when a pass to Hosea Gear saw the former Hurricanes winger dash well over 60m before a pass to Tony Woodcock was then passed to Mose Tuiali'i, who scored his side's opener.

The confidence from the southern franchise grew throughout the opening quarter as Slade's boot bamboozled scrum-half TJ Perenara, with Tamati Ellison cashing in. A try soon after to Smith saw the Highlanders race to a commanding three-try lead within the opening 20 minutes. From there the Hurricanes were able to secure a try through Ash Dixon, his first in Super Rugby. It looked as if the hosts would take a 14-point deficit into the half-time break only for Kade Poki to score on the whistle.

The Hurricanes roared back in the second half after Smith's yellow card. However, the Highlanders responded with two quick tries to expand their lead to 15 points with little over 10 minutes to play. Even then the Highlanders couldn't finish the game and the Hurricanes came at them with desperation to finish their penultimate match on a high.

Instead it was the visitors who roared in elation, enjoying a rare victory and an even rarer away win.