The Wellington Hurricanes withstood a ferocious late fightback from the Otago Highlanders to win their Super 14 clash 10-6 at Dunedin on Friday.
The Hurricanes spent most of the second half camped in their own quarter but defended superbly against waves of attacks from the Highlanders.
Otago threw everything they had at the visitors to snatch the try they needed for victory but could not find a way through their New Zealand rivals.
”We tried our guts out out there and I reckon we were the better side,” Otago captain Craig Newby said in a televised interview.
”It was very frustrating but they’re a good side, they’re not just going to give up tries. We created a lot of opportunities but we just couldn’t finish them off.”
Wellington grabbed the lead when All Blacks flanker Jerry Collins scored the only try of the match in the 10th minute.
Jimmy Gopperth landed the conversion and added a penalty for the Hurricanes, who led 10-6 at half-time and held on to win their third match of the season.
”We were expecting a tough game and that’s exactly what we got,” Wellington skipper Rodney So’oialo said.
”The Highlanders came back at us and really put a lot of pressure on us.
James Wilson kicked two penalties for Otago, who remain winless after four rounds but have four bonus points for losing each of their games by less than seven points.
The Hurricanes travel to Australia next week to play the ACT Brumbies in Canberra while the Highlanders have a bye. — Reuters