Wing Salesi Rayasi scored two tries as the Hurricanes Hunters came from behind to beat the Crusaders Knights 42-38 in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon.
Behind 21-7 near the end of the first half, the Hunters crossed just before the break to close the gap to 21-14 after 40 minutes.
The Hunters carried on that momentum in the second half and dominated for long periods only to throw a couple of intercept passes that led to tries for the Knights.
Hurricanes Hunters coach Darren Larsen said the squad talked about showing character and more dicipline in the second half and they largely did that.
They also improved their tackle percentage and their attack became more threatening as they put the home side under real pressure.
Rayasi was a constant threat out wide and deserved his two tries while Hurricanes squad members Vaea Fifita and Richard Judd also crossed.
The other tries went to Devon Flanders and Ollie Sapsford while Danny Toala landed four conversions and Jono Hickey and Stewart Cruden one a piece.
Larsen also reported Fifita and Judd came through the 50 minutes of rugby returning from injury without any issues.
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