The Hurricanes extended their winning streak to three straight matches by beating the Highlanders 29-12 at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
The Hurricanes victory ended the Highlanders unbeaten run in 2018 so now all fifteen competing teams have all lost at least one match.
The victory is also the Hurricanes third straight win over the Highlanders as the last time the Dunedin won a contest between the sides was in 2016.
All Black first-five Beauden Barrett scored the opening try in the match after picking up a grubber kick from the Highlanders which he converted in the sixth minute.
As the end opening quarter came to a close the Highlanders opened their account on the scoreboard by sucking in the Hurricanes defenses which allowed All Black winger Waisake Naholo to score in the corner.
Lima Sopoaga was unable to convert the try from out wide so the Highlanders trailed by two.
The Hurricanes scored just before the break as Ben Lam powered through a triple tackle and reached with the ball for the tryline. The try was almost not awarded as the TMO was initially unsure of whether Lam had put a foot in touch but after further replays it became clear that the foot in touch belonged to a Highlander.
Beauden Barrett was unable to convert the try from out wide so the Hurricanes went into the break with a 12-5 lead.
Two minutes into the second half the Highlanders leveled the scores when Naholo went over for his second try but Sopoaga’s conversion was the last time the visiting side was able to score.
The Hurricanes were not finished scoring though as Jordie Barrett slotted a 51m penalty, Vince Aso scored in the corner and Lam crossed for his second.
Beauden Barrett converted both of the Hurricanes second half tries from both touchlines. The Hurricanes pressed for a sixth and bonus point try but the Highlanders managed to keep them out.
Next week in the seventh round the Hurricanes travel to Melbourne to play the Rebels while the Highlanders travel to Hamilton to play the Chiefs.
Hurricanes vs Highlanders Rd.6 2018 Super rugby video highlights
Final Score Hurricanes 29 (12) Highlanders 12 (5)
Scorers
Hurricanes
Tries -B.Barrett, B.Lam 2, V.Aso
Pen -J.Barrett
Con -B.Barrett3
Drop –
Cards –
Highlanders
Tries – W.Naholo 2
Pen –
Con -L.Sopoaga
Drop –
Cards –
Match Officials
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 1:Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 2:Richard Kelly
TMO : Shane McDermott
Teams
Hurricanes
15 Jordie Barrett , 14 Julian Savea , 13 Matt Proctor , 12 Ngani Laumape , 11 Ben Lam , 10 Beauden Barrett , 9 TJ Perenara , 8 Gareth Evans , 7 Ardie Savea , 6 Brad Shields (c) , 5 Sam Lousi , 4 Murray Douglas , 3 Ben May , 2 Ricky Riccitelli , 1 Chris Eves
Replacements : 16 Asafo Aumua , 17 Fraser Armstrong , 18 Jeff Toomaga-Allen , 19 Michael Fatialofa , 20 Reed Prinsep , 21 Richard Judd , 22 Ihaia West , 23 Vince Aso
Highlanders
1. Daniel Lienert-Brown,2. Liam Colman,3. Tyrel Lomax,4. Jackson Hemopo,5. Tom Franklin,6. Elliot Dixon,7. Dillon Hunt,8. Luke Whitelock,9. Aaron Smith,10. Lima Sopoaga,11. Tevita Li,12. Teihorangi Walden,13. Rob Thompson,14. Waisake Naholo,15. Ben Smith (cc)
Replacements:16. Ash Dixon (cc), 17. Aki Seiuli, 18. Siate Tokolahi, 19. Shannon Frizell, 20. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, 21. Kayne Hammington, 22. Josh Ioane, 23. Matt Faddes
