Ardie Savea scores one of his tries for the Hurricanes against the Highlanders [Source: Fox Sports]

The Hurricanes beat the Highlanders 31-28 in Dunedin in a pulsating, breathless match.

It took some Ardie Savea brilliance to win it, with the All Blacks No 7 putting in one of the performances of the season.

He kept the Hurricanes in the game with two tries before Ngani Laumape scored the decisive try in the 66th minute as John Plumtree’s side held on grimly for the last 10 minutes.

Both teams were locked at 14-14 at the breather.

HT | What an opening 40 minutes in Dunedin! If you are not watching, flick over to @skysportnz to catch NZ Conference rugby at its best. ???#HIGvHUR pic.twitter.com/FLOZk3sH18

— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) April 5, 2019

The Highlanders’ hopes of making the Super Rugby playoffs have suffered a huge blow after being pipped by the Hurricanes.

?? Congratulations to @Tj_Perenara who has become the first halfback in #SuperRugby history to score 5⃣0⃣ tries.#HIGvHUR pic.twitter.com/16aFlXj54V

— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) April 5, 2019

The victory saw the Hurricanes move to within one point of the Crusaders (24) at the top of the Super Rugby standings, while the Highlanders are fourth on the New Zealand conference on 14 points.

FT | Have you got any nails left? @Hurricanesrugby hold on at the death for a courageous win over @Highlanders.#HIGvHUR pic.twitter.com/VzbiwZkfQv

— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) April 5, 2019

[Source: Fox Sports and stuff.co.nz]