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The Hurricanes did just about enough to hold off the Highlanders 21-14 in a surprisingly low-quality Super Rugby Pacific affair in Wellington on Saturday.
Both teams were guilty of playing scrappy rugby at times and struggled for fluency, though ultimately the Canes will be happy with their second straight win against tough New Zealand opposition following their week one loss against the Crusaders.
Jordie Barrett missed an early chance to put the Hurricanes on the board but the home side did take the lead a few minutes later when big prop Pouri Rakete-Stones collected a pass from Ruben Love and drove straight through Hugh Renton to score his debut Super Rugby try.
The Highlanders thought they'd hit back on 24 minutes but Connor Garden-Bachop was adjudged to have made a double movement as he reached for the line after a spectacular break by Liam Coombes-Fabling had set up the try-scoring opportunity.
Mitch Hunt had another chance to put the visitors on the board shortly after but couldn't find the target, as a fairly lackluster first half by New Zealand Super Rugby standards came to a close.
The mistakes kept coming after the break, with both teams continuing to lack rhythm, while Barrett missed another kick at goal that would have put the Canes 10 points clear.
The hosts did respond with their second try shortly after when Bailyn Sullivan broke the line and they finally managed to string together a number of solid attacking phases before Billy Proctor crashed over. The conversion was good as the Canes took a 14-0 lead.
Just before the hour mark, the Highlanders finally got on the board when substitute Manaaki Selby-Rickit snapped up a loose ball and avoided several tackles to score a superb solo try.
But the Canes threatened to put the final nail in the coffin when Logan Henry scored on his debut after collecting a pass from Peter Umaga-Jensen, who had managed to skin Logan Henry on his outside.
There was one final hurrah from the Highlanders, who brought themselves back to within seven points of the lead five minutes from time when Josh Dickson crashed over at the end of a 12-phase move, but the Canes managed to wind down the clock without any further drama to hold on for the win.
