One pass, one penalty, one bounce of the ball - the Hurricanes Investec Super Rugby match against the Highlanders seemed destined to be decided by a single moment.

And so it was as referee Glen Jackson found fault at a late ruck and Highlanders first five Hayden Parker slotted the winning penalty for his side's 17-16 round two win at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

The match was a typical Hurricanes-Highlanders battle with the players setting an exhausting pace from the kick off. Like 14 of the last 15 matches between the two clubs the margin of victory was fewer than seven points.

Statistically the Hurricanes were ahead in every key area, but just couldn't turn pressure into points as golden opportunities slipped through their fingers.

A Ngani Laumape bust ended when his pass found its way into the hands of Highlanders wing Patrick Osborne instead of Cory Jane. Wing Julian Savea held up over the line by a brilliant Lima Sopoaga defensive play, TJ Perenara foiled by a wonky bounce of the ball, and fullback James Marshall was bundled out in the corner.

"We were pleased we put in a better effort, but we didn't seem to get a crumb. All the breaks went the other way, we couldn't quite get the ball to fall our way and when we did we turned it over again, a couple of times crucially," Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said. "It's one of those games that could have gone either way."

But as frustrating as it was, the match provided just the turnaround in attitude Boyd had been looking for after a heavy first up loss to the Brumbies in Canberra.

"The nice thing for us really is we're happy with the improved performance. It could have gone either way but after such a poor performance last week we're just pleased that at least the boys rolled their sleeves up and went to work.

"We're only four points off the pace. Our view is we're one win away from the guys who are leading the pack."

Malakai Fekitoa put the Highlanders up early when he burst through out wide for a try after 10 minutes and the home side led 11-6 at halftime.

First five Beauden Barrett controlled the match with aplomb. He put his team in the right areas of the park, and lifted the tempo with his running game to guide the Hurricanes into a winning position.

Halfback TJ Perenara dived over after a 16 phase build up to close the margin to one point then Barrett knocked over his third penalty to give his side a 16-14 going into the final quarter.

Openside Ardie Savea was immense all night, a constant threat at the breakdown where he snaffled up turnovers at key times, while locks Mark Abbott and Blade Thomson got through a mountain of work in close.

And new dad and fullback James Marshall provided a levelling figure at the back with an impressive display in his first full match for about six months.

For all that the Highlanders hung on for the win, just as they had during last year's Investec Super Rugby final in Wellington.

Fekitoa's strong running stood out throughout as he challenged the line and there will be healthy debate about whether he grounded the ball against the base of the goal post in the second half.

The TMO ruled that he had placed the ball against the padding, but not the base as Ardie Savea slid in to prevent him from making a clear grounding. Moments later an Aaron Smith forward pass was called back and it looked as though the Hurricanes had survived the late onslaught.

However, small errors proved costly. A poor pass, a knock on, and the late penalty at the breakdown swung the match.

Far from down hearted the Hurricanes can now look toward their next match against the Blues at Eden Park next with some confidence.

Highlanders 17 (Malakai Fekitoa try; Lima Sopoaga 3 pen; Hayden Parker pen) Hurricanes 16 (TJ Perenara try; Beauden Barrett 3 pen con). HT: 11-6 (Highlanders).