Cape Town - The Hurricanes have beaten the Highlanders 29-12 in a hard-fought Super Rugby derby played at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
The 2016 Super Rugby champions outscored the Highlanders by four tries to two with Beauden Barrett, Vince Aso and Ben Lam (2) crossing the whitewash.
Barrett added three conversions while his brother, Jordie, kicked a penalty.
The Highlanders score came from a brace from winger Waisake Naholo while flyhalf Lima Sopoaga kicked a conversion.
Next week the Hurricanes are away to the Rebels while the Highlanders have another derby match, this time away to the Chiefs.
Scorers
Hurricanes
Tries: Beauden Barrett, Ben Lam (2), Vince Aso
Conversions: Beauden Barrett (3)
Penalty: Jordie Barrett
Highlanders
Tries: Waisake Naholo (2)
Conversion: Lima Sopoaga
Teams
Hurricanes
15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Ben Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Brad Shields (captain), 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Murray Douglas, 3 Ben May, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Chris Eves.
Substitutes: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Fraser Armstrong, 18 Jeff To'omaga-Allen, 19 Michael Fatialofa, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Richard Judd, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Vince Aso
Highlanders
15 Ben Smith (captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Tei Walden, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Substitutes: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Shannon Frizell, 20 Marino Mikaele Tu'u, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Josh Ioane, 23 Matt Faddes
