Highlanders 6 Hurricanes 10

A rare win for the Hurricanes at Carisbrook and another frustrating result for the Highlanders - that summed up the Canes' dogged 10-6 victory in a messy Super 14 match in Dunedin on Friday night.

There was little to enthuse for either side in terms of attacking play although the Hurricanes will be delighted with the outcome as they hung tough to gain just their third win down south in the 13-year history of Super rugby.

They certainly did it the hard way, opening up a 10-nil lead in as many minutes and then relying on some frantic defence to see out a win against the statistical odds.

The Highlanders enjoyed a 63% advantage in possession and a massive 77% advantage in territory yet they couldn't cross the try-line. They even spent 22 minutes inside the Hurricanes' 22 and had nothing to show for it.

No one can deny the Highlanders' spirit and determination. But their attacking limitations and their lack of a top class goalkicker continue to haunt them.

This is the Highlanders' fourth narrow loss in a row and their only consolation was another bonus point.

For the Hurricanes there was the pleasure of a result that keeps them on the championship pace but there was little to enthuse over the way it was achieved other than their resolute defence.

The Hurricanes, so good against the Chiefs last week, fell back into some bad habits, particularly in the handling department. When Jerry Collins crossed for an outstanding counter-attacking try early in the match it looked like they were set to fire up again. But strangely they never again threatened the Highlanders' line.

The home side, full of hustle and bustle, played a clever tactical game to give themselves every chance of what would have been a deserved - and cherished - victory. Instead they came up short once again.

The Highlanders employed an effective kicking game. And a lot of it was just behind the Hurricanes backs rather than deep where the men from the capital might employ their dangerous running lines.

So with kicks into the box - and plenty of them aimed Ma'a Nonu's way - the Highlanders were able to keep going forward and then tie up the ball again.

They also had a mighty scrum - solid on their own ball and able to apply plenty of heat on the Canes' put-ins with props Jamie Mackintosh and Clint Newland outstanding.

There was a great tussle between the halfbacks with forgotten All Blacks Piri Weepu and Jimmy Cowan having a ding-dong battle. They were both among their teams' best players and on personal terms perhaps Cowan came away with an edge that was highlighted with Weepu being subbed after an hour as he showed the signs of a big defensive game.

Big Highlanders No 8 Steven Setephano relished taking on the likes of Collins and Rodney So'oialo and certainly wasn't over-shadowed.

Replacement lock Hoani MacDonald had a storming game and Highlanders skipper Craig Newby would be happy with his return to action from injury although he was far from delighted with the result.

"This is gutting," said Newby in an understatement. "We tried our guts our there and I reckon we were the better side. We created some opportunities but just couldn't finish them."

Paul Williams and Tim Boys blew close-range opportunities in the first spell and the Highlanders had plenty of chances late in the match, even going through 14 phases after the final hooter. But they were clueless in trying to organise a try-scoring opportunity.

The Canes leaped out to that early lead with the feature being a fine breakout try. They turned over Highlanders' ball just outside their own 22 and burst upfield with the ball sweeping though seven sets of hands before Collins crossed the line for a classy touchdown.

But starved of ball and plagued by mistakes they hardly had another look-in.

They were just lucky that all the Highlanders could muster were two penalties from James Wilson who also missed two long-range efforts.

So the Canes led 10-6 at the break and that was it as far as the scoring action was concerned.

Daniel Bowden missed a relatively easy penalty attempt early in the second spell that would surely have given the Highlanders hope.

In the end they had to endure nothing but frustration just as they have done all season.

They couldn't even engineer a try against a 14-man opposition at one stage after Nonu was guilty of a high tackle on Newland that earned him 10 minutes in the sin-bin.

The Highlanders now have a bye before they host the Western Force in Queenstown on Easter Saturday. There is plenty to contemplate for this young side who are full of heart but need to develop the ruthless streak to turn these narrow losses into wins.

The Hurricanes now head off to Canberra next weekend needing some major improvements to topple to Brumbies there.

HURRICANES 10 (Jerry Collins try; Jimmy Gopperth pen, con) bt HIGHLANDERS 6 (James Wilson 2 pen) at Carisbrook, Dunedin. Halftime: 10-6.