Ma'a Nonu smashed through the defence to score the match-winning try 10 minutes from the end as the Hurricanes beat the Highlanders 33-31 in their Super 14 rugby match at Carisbrook on Saturday night.
Both sides scored five tries in an entertaining game, particularly in the first half when eight tries were scored, and in the end they were separated by a solitary conversion.
The Hurricanes kept their slim playoff chances alive and now have 27 points while the two bonus points gained by the Highlanders took their total to 13.
Fullback Cory Jane and centre Conrad Smith were the pick of the Hurricanes backs while lock Michael Paterson was the best of the forwards.
Israel Dagg and Jimmy Cowan impressed in the Highlanders backs while Steven Setephano, Alando Soakai, Josh Bekhuis and Chris King all had good games in an improved pack.
The Hurricanes started strongly with a try after three minutes. Aaron Cruden made the initial break, stepping inside Steven Setephano, linked with Conrad Smith and flanker Karl Lowe scored under the posts before Cruden converted.
This was the start of a try-scoring spree that produced four in the first 14 minutes after which the scores were level at 12-12.
Cowan and Soakai finished off long-range efforts for the Highlanders and lock Michael Paterson scored the Hurricanes' second when the Highlanders botched a kick-off.
There was a lull in the try-scoring for 10 minutes before halfback Tyson Keats scored after Paterson smashed through the defence. Cruden converted and the Hurricanes led 19-12.
The Highlanders lost Michael Hobbs with a bad cut to the hand - he was replaced by Robbie Robinson - and there was consolation when Cowan worked the blind and right wing Ben Smith scored a fine try to narrow the gap to 19-17.
But the Hurricanes struck again when Cory Jane made a lovely run from fullback and linked with Cruden who scored the bonus-point try. Cruden converted and the Hurricanes led 26-17.
The neck-and-neck contest continued as Highlanders hooker Jason Rutledge crashed over just before the break and Dagg's conversion made it 26-24 at the interval.
The Highlanders had an edge in territory and possession in the first half but the defence of both teams was sketchy.
The Hurricanes had field position for most of the first 15 minutes of the second spell but Cruden missed two kickable penalties which would have given them a buffer.
Highlanders flanker Adam Thomson left the field midway through the second spell with an eye injury but soon returned with it bandaged.
Victor Vito was held up over the line by John Hardie with 12 minutes left but, from the ensuing scrum, Nonu powered through the defence to score under the posts and the Hurricanes led 33-24.
Both teams cleared their benches towards the end with the Hurricanes holding on to a lead which many throught would have been bigger.
But the Highlanders came back to score their fifth try on the final hooter, replacement prop Bronson Murray crashing over and Dagg converting.
Highlanders 31
Tries: Cowan, Soakai, Smith, Rutledge, Murray.
Conversions: Dagg 3.
Hurricanes 33
Tries: Lowe, Paterson, Keats, Cruden, Nonu.
Conversions: Cruden 3, Weepu.
HT: Hurricanes 26-24.