The Hurricanes have beaten the Cats 30-21 in their latest Super 12 clash in Wellington.

A vintage performance by centre Tana Umaga has guided the Hurricanes to a 30-21 Super 12 victory against the Cats in Wellington.

Umaga's performance has ensured the Hurricanes' campaign is looking a little healthier after successive wins, but the home side was forced to defend stoutly after a spirited Cats comeback in the second-half. Both sides scored three tries each.

The Hurricanes led 27-14 at half-time, but with 20 minutes remaining all the second-half momentum was with the Cats after centre Rudi Coetzee scored their third try to reduce the lead to 27-21.

Like it did last against the Sharks, the Hurricanes defence remained strong and they only regained the ascendancy in the final 10 minutes after a classic Jonah Lomu run put them deep in Cats' territory for the first time.

And when a Darryl Lilley penalty extended the lead to 30-21 with six minutes remaining the Cats' challenge had ended.

The Hurricanes will take the win, but will know they missed a golden chance for a bonus point after scoring three tries before half-time. The game deteriorated after the break and the Hurricanes struggled to find any consistency.

The Cats return to South Africa with little to show after another disastrous tour of Australia and New Zealand during which they conceded 169 points in four games. There were further improvements against the Hurricanes, particularly with the ball in hand, but they still struggled to get over the line despite dominating early in possession and at the breakdown.

Flyhalf Andre Pretorius is fast shaping up as an option for the Springboks, while the strong running of winger Dean Hall suggests a win is not too far away.

But the night belonged to Umaga, who said he was sick of Super 12 at the start of the season. He looked like a player in his debut so eager was he to get involved in everything.

His committed running consistently put the Hurricanes over the advantage line while his defence was fearless with several stinging tackles highlighting the first-half. He scored the Hurricanes second try after sparking the initial movement with a kick that put the Cats defence on the back foot.

Things looked promising for the Cats when hooker Leon Boshoff crossed for the game's opening try after some sustained pressure by his side in the fifth minute.

The Hurricanes quickly struck back through Christian Cullen in the ninth minute, while the boot of Lilley put them in front 10-7. When Umaga crossed in the 20th minute and quickly followed by Cullen's second try, the Hurricanes were well on the way to victory leading 24-7.

David Holwell added a further penalty, but the Cats ensured a tight second-half when captain Jannes Labuschagne crashed over on the stroke of half-time.

Scoreboard

HURRICANES 30

Tries: Christian Cullen 2, Tana Umaga tries.
Goals: David Holwell pen, 3 cons, Daryl Lilley 2 pens.

CATS 21
Tries: Leon Boshoff, Jannes Labuschagne, Rudi Coetzee tries.
Goals: Andre Pretorius 3 cons.