The Wellington Hurricanes notched a hard-fought 22-16 victory over the Western Force in the Super 15 competition Friday, against the unfancied but committed Australians. The injury-hit Hurricanes scored three tries to one but had to battle until the final whistle as Jayden Hayward's boot kept the Force in the game with three penalties. "We were working really hard but obviously missing some leaders within the team," captain Conrad Smith said. "It wasn't pretty but we'll take a win, she's a tough competition."

Result of a Super 15 rugby match between the Auckland Blues and Wellington Hurricanes at Eden Park on Saturday: Auckland Blues (NZL) 28 Wellington Hurricanes (NZL) 6 (H-T: 14-6) Scorers Blues - Tries: Frank Halai, Charles Piutau, James Parsons, Tom McCartney. Conversions: Chris Noakes (4) Hurricanes - Penalty: Beauden Barrett. Drop goal: Tusi Pisi Referee: Jaco Peyper (RSA) afp

The Wellington Hurricanes scored six tries as they notched up their third consecutive win with a 46-30 victory over the Southern Kings in their Super 15 match on Saturday. The Hurricanes led 29-16 at half-time and after going off the boil immediately following the resumption they rallied in the final quarter to run in a further 17 points to secure the victory. It ended a dismal fortnight in New Zealand for the Kings who were whipped 55-20 by the Canterbury Crusaders last week and now head to Australia to face the series leaders ACT Brumbies next week.

The Wellington Hurricanes defeated the Otago Highlanders 23-19 to consign the New Zealand conference cellar-dwellers to their third straight defeat in Dunedin on Friday. The Hurricanes scored three tries to one after a slow start to make it two wins from four this Super 15 season. "We were a little more direct and that's what got us the points in the end," captain Conrad Smith said after a win that helped boost the Hurricanes' season following a victory over the Canterbury Crusaders last week. Highlanders' stand-in skipper Brad Thorn said the defeat was hard to take.