The Hurricanes eased past the Lions 33-18 at Wellington in Round three of the 2010 Super14 and scored a bonus point in the process.
The Lions were outscored by two tries to four and although the gave the Hurricanes a good contest the Hurricanes never looked like losing.
The Hurricanes led the scoring throughout the match and led 21-7 at half time.
Hooker Andrew Hore scored a brilliant second-half try to lift the Hurricanes in the second half after what was probably the Lions best period.
Hore broke from a ruck 30 meters from the Lions' goal line in the 50th minute, fended off one player and sidestepped another to give the Hurricanes a 13-point lead.
Trailing 21-7, the Lions started the second half strongly, scoring a try through No. 8 Todd Clever who is the first American to play in Super 14.
The Lions closed to 21-15 before Hore's try gave the Hurricanes breathing space.
I was waiting for someone to catch me and then I was waiting for someone to pass to," Hore said of his match-winning try.
"I didn't show any emotion after scoring because I knew if I did the guys would give me grief for weeks to come. I think I ran further to score that try than I did for all my other tries in the Super 14 combined."
Hore's try seemed to knock the wind out the Lions who had just before being pressing at the Hurricanes line.
"We showed that when we keep possession and build pressure we can be very dangerous," Lions captain Cobus Grobbelaar said.
"But when you give away too many penalties and miss too many tackles you're going to pay for it."
Tries to lock Michael Paterson, halfback Piri Weepu (pictured) and winger David Smith gave the Hurricanes their third win in as many games and a bonus point.
The Lions have lost all three of their matches this season.
The Lions now head for Canberra while the Hurricanes head for Bloemfontein where they will face the Cheetahs.
Final Score Hurricanes 33 Lions 18
Scorers
Hurricanes
Tries - M.Paterson, P.Weepu, A.Hore, D.Smith
Pen - Willie Ripia 3
Con - Willie Ripia 2
Drop -
Cards - Ma’,a Nonu
Tries - M.Paterson, P.Weepu, A.Hore, D.Smith
Pen - Willie Ripia 3
Con - Willie Ripia 2
Drop -
Cards - Ma’,a Nonu
Lions
Tries - D.Minnie, T.Clever
Pen - Earl Rose 2
Con - Earl Rose
Drop -
Match Officials
Referee: Nathan Pearce (Aus)
Ass. refs: Chris Pollock (NZ), Matthew Stanish (NZ)
TMO: Mike Fraser (NZ)
Teams
Hurricanes -, 15 Cory Jane, 14 Tamati Ellison, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’,a Nonu, 11 David Smith, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Rodney So’,oialo, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Michael Paterson, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore (c), 1 John Schwalger.
Reserves: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Jacob Ellison, 18, Nick Crosswell, 19 Scott Waldrom, 20 Tyson Keats, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Andre Taylor.
Lions -, 15 Earl Rose, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Deon Van Rensburg, 12 Doppies La Grange, 11 Wandile Mjekevu, 10 Carlos Spencer, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Todd Clever, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (c), 5 George Earl, 4 Franco Van der Merwe, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 Heinke Van der Merwe.
Reserves: 16 Charles Emslie, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 Jacques Lombaard, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Walter Venter, 22 Michael Killian.
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