Rugby: Hurricanes keep slim playoff hopes alive

The Hurricanes narrowly edged the Highlanders 33-31 in Dunedin to make it two wins on the trot. Photo / Getty Images

The Hurricanes kept alive their slim hopes of making the playoffs when they narrowly edged the Highlanders 33-31 in an entertaining Super 14 rugby match at Dunedin tonight.

Their fifth victory in 10 matches did not come easy as the Highlanders, already out of playoffs contention, went toe to toe with the hurricanes to take two well-earned bonus points from the match.

Both sides scored five tries each with the Hurricanes managing one more conversion as both their kickers struggled in the variable wind.

The Highlanders and the Hurricanes produced a feast of tries in the first 40 minutes as both sides bagged four tries each.

Each time the Hurricanes scored, the Highlanders replied quickly as both sides, making hardly any handling errors, moved the ball wide effectively.

Hurricanes flanker Karl Lowe got the scoreboard ticking after just four minutes and five minutes later, Highlanders skipper Jimmy Cowan replied.

Hurricanes lock Michael Paterson was next but the Highlanders levelled 12-12 through No 8 Alando Soakai.

Halfback Tyson Keats and first five-eighth Aaron Cruden were next to score for the Hurricanes with wing Ben Smith and hooker Jason Rutledge keeping the Highlanders in touch 26-24 at halftime.

Fullback Cory Jane and Cruden were brilliant for the Hurricanes in the first half with their dashing runs to set up the tries while Cowan, Rutledge and flanker Adam Thomson were outstanding for the highlanders.

The second half in contrast turned into an arm wrestle in which netiehr side could get the upper hand and the tries dried up as fatigue began to take a toll.

Cruden missed two easy penalties and the Highlanders were denied a score from an exhilarating break out by Kennny Lynn when wing Hosea Gear tackled Ben Smith to stop the winger from scoring in the corner.

Hurricanes loose forward Victor Vito was held up in the 69th minute but the Hurricanes were not to be denied. From the resultant scrum, second five-eight Ma'a Nonu crashed over for a converted try.

But the highlanders were not finished. The grabbed possession with time up on the clock and after pounding at the Hurricanes defence, substitute forward Bronson Murray scored.

With the conversion by Israel Dagg , the Highlanders walked away with their second bonus point of the night for finishing within seven points.

``Obviously we had nothing to lose after getting the bonus point and we wanted to get down there and play with the territory (in the second half) and shut them out of the game,' said Hurricanes skipper Hore, who led from the front with another impressive showing.

``But we feel a little disappointed we let them keep coming back and didn't put them out of it.'

Hurricanes 33 (Karl Lowe, Michael Paterson, Tyson Keats, Aaron Cruden, Ma'a Nonu tries; Cruden 4 con) Highlanders 31 (Jimmy Cowan, Alando Soakai, Ben Smith, Jason Rutledge, Bronson Murray tries; Israel Dagg 3 con). Halftime: 26-24.

- NZPA