If the Hurricanes were looking to assure their fans they were back to winning ways after the defeat to the Blues a week ago, they took the hard route to success.
Missing a heap of All Blacks and other top player the Hurricanes beat Moana Pasifika 32-24 in Wellington to reclaim top spot on the points table.
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The top place on the ladder may be only temporary as the Blues face the Highlanders at Eden Park on Saturday.
The Canes victory wasn't pretty, but was enough despite leading just 19-12 at halftime after they held a 19-0 lead.
It was then the visitors came back strong through a try to prop Sione Mafileo in the 26th minute and Abraham Pole also a frontrower before halftime.
In the second spell Fine Inisi scored first to keep Moana Pasifika right in the match before Pater Lakai continued his good form of the season with a try for the Hurricanes.
Moana Pasifika loose forward Alamanda Motuga finished off the try scoring for the game in the 75th minute but in the end the goal kicking of Aidan Morgan with three conversions and two penalties which won the match.
Hurricanes 32 (Raymond Tuputupu, Siale Lauaki, Richard Judd, Peter Lakai tries; Aidan Morgan 3 con, 2 pen) Moana Pasifika 24 (Sione Mafileo, Abraham Pole, Fine Inisi, Alamanda Motuga 75’ tries; William Havili 2 con). HT: 19-12