Hurricanes player Charlie Ngatai in action in their warm-up match against the Chiefs.

Andre Taylor scores for the Hurricanes in their warm-up match against the Chiefs.

Hurricanes player Charlie Ngatai is tackled in their warm-up match against the Chiefs.

Hurricanes player James Broadhurst comes in to score in their warm-up match against the Chiefs.

The Highlanders and Hurricanes forward packs get ready to pack down a scrum.

Hurricanes second-five Ma'a Nonu, who received a red card, tries to break out of Josh Bekhuis' tackle.

Always dangerous on attack, Hurricanes flanker Victor Vito tries to break away from Adam Thomson.

Andre Taylor of the Hurricanes runs the ball during the Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Chiefs at Westpac Stadium, Wellington.

Sitiveni Sivivatu of the Chiefs is tackled by Jason Eaton and Neemia Tialata of the Hurricanes during Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Chiefs at Westpac Stadium.

Jack Lam of the Hurricanes is tackled by Isaac Ross of the Chiefs during the Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Chiefs at Westpac Stadium.

The Hurricanes stand during a minute's silence in respect of the victims of the Japanese eathquake in the Blues vs Hurricanes Super 15 rugby match at Eden Park.

Blues player Jared Payne dives over for their final try in the tackles of Hurricanes Mark Reddish (left) and Aaron Cruden in the Blues vs Hurricanes Super 15 rugby game played at Eden Park in Auckland.

Blues right wing Rene Ranger in action during the Blues & Hurricanes Super 15 rugby match at Eden Park.

Blues fullback Isaia Toeava is dragged down by the tackle of Hurricanes No 8 Victor Vito in the Blues & Hurricanes Super 15 rugby match at Eden Park.

Blues lock Anthony Boric drives in the tackle of Hurricanes second-five Ma'a Nonu with Tony Woodcock in support in the Blues & Hurricanes Super 15 rugby match at Eden Park.

Blues fullback Isaia Toeava tries to outpace Hurricanes fullback Cory Jane in the Blues & Hurricanes Super15 rugby match at Eden Park.

Andre Taylor of the Hurricanes is tackled by Tim Davidson of the Rebels.

Players battle for position in the scrum during the round six match between the Melbourne Rebels and the Hurricanes.

Daniel Kirkpatrick of the Hurricanes is tackled against the Melbourne Rebels.

Danny Cipriani of the Rebels is driven back by Victor Vito of the Hurricanes.

Captain of the Bulls Victor Matfield jumps for the ball against the Hurricanes.

Jaco Pretorius and Dewald Potgieter of the Bulls celebrate their win over the Hurricanes.

Fourie du Prteez of the Bulls has a kick blocked by John Schwalger of the Hurricanes.

Jeremy Thrush of the Hurricanes is tackled by Pierre Spies of the Bulls.

Peter Kimlin of the Brumbies is tackled by Hurricanes' players at Canberra Stadium.

Colby Faingaa of the Brumbies is tackled against the Hurricanes at Canberra Stadium.

Matt Giteau and Christian Lealiifano of the Brumbies celebrate after beating the Hurricanes at Canberra Stadium.

Jeremy Thrush of the Hurricanes is tackled by Davon Raubenheimer of the Cheetahs.

Tyson Keats of the Hurricanes is tackled by Beast Mtwarira and Stefan Terblanche of the Sharks.

Jeremy Thrush of the Hurricanes is held in a tackle against the Sharks.

Ryan Kankowski of Sharks is out jumped by Victor Vito of Hurricanes.

Serge Lilo of Hurricanes leaves the field with a knee injury during the match against the Sharks.

Scott Higginbotham of the Reds scores a try against the Hurricanes.

Charlie Ngatai of the Hurricanes leaves on a stretcher against the Reds.

Andre Taylor dives in to score a try for the Hurricanes against the Reds.

Aaron Cruden is swamped by his Hurricanes teammates after kicking the winning goal against the Reds.

Jayden Hayward protects the pill for the Hurricanes during their 17-11 defeat at home to the Blues

Hosea Gear scores a try for the Hurricanes, but it isn't enough to secure a victory.

David Kirkpatrick looks to make a break during the Hurricanes' 11-17 defeat at home to the Blues.

Ben McCalman of the Force scores a try as he is tackled by Piri Weepu of the Hurricanes.

Cory Jane of the Hurricanes scores a try against the Western Force.

Ma'a Nonu of the Hurricanes scores a try against the Western Force.

John Schwalger of the Hurricanes is tackled by Nathan Charles of the Force.

Hosea Gear looks for his support after being tackled down the side line against the Lions.

Ma'a Nonu gets the pass away after being wrapped up by Warren Whiteley of the Lions.

Aaron Cruden goes over for the Hurricanes first try against the Lions.

Andrew Hore in action for the Hurricanes against the Chiefs.

Alapati Leiua of the Hurricanes and Lelia Masaga of the Chiefs battle for the ball.

Sitiveni Sivivatu in action for the Chiefs against the Hurricanes.

Stephen Donald in action for the Chiefs against the Hurricanes.

Neemia Tialata in action for the Hurricanes against the Chiefs.

Andrew Hore in action for the Hurricanes against the Chiefs.

Having previously looked like he'd never kick a goal again, Hurricanes first-five-eight Aaron Cruden booted a last-minute penalty to ensure his captain's hundredth game for the franchise was a winning one.

Trailing the Reds 26-25, with time up on the clock, Cruden calmly slotted the ball between the Westpac Stadium posts to secure his team just their third victory of the Super Rugby season, 28-26.

It looked for all money as if the Hurricanes had blown whatever chance they had of winning, but the raised arm of referee Keith Brown offered them a late reprieve. Cruden did his part and skipper Andrew Hore got the win he'd requested in this morning's paper.

Getty Images ATTA BOY: Hurricanes first-five Aaron Cruden is hugged by back reserve Jayden Hayward (right) after his 80th-minute penalty kick gave the Canes a 28-26 win over the Queensland Reds

To call this Huricanes team enigmatic, would be an understatement.

The only thing missing from their first half performance was some decent goalkicking. Aron Cruden nissed four shots at goal, Andre Taylor another.

Otherwise, they were as good as they've been in recent memory.

The running was direct, support players plentiful and, most importantly, they were turning opportunities into tries.

The four-try bonus point arrived in the 35th minute when prop Neemia Tialata burst over from close range, following the earlier efforts of Faifili Levave, Cruden and then Taylor.

Neither side seemed especially adept at tackling, although that probably owed more to the quality of the attacking rugby.

Reds fist-five-eighth Quade Cooper looked capable of dismantling the Hurricanes defence every time he touched the ball, but his team's progress was often then thwarted by inaccuracy. Their lineout was a shambles and the general handling not much better. Having looked like they were capable of wrapping the game up within the opening 10 minutes, the Reds only had themselves to blame for being 22-5 down at the break.

A team of the Reds' quality were only going to cough the ball up for so long and with replacement hooker Saia Faingaa making sure the lineout throws were going where they ought to, Cooper had more opportunities to weave his magic. Two tries to right wing Luke Morahan meant they trailed by just 25-23 with 15 minutes to go.

The Hurricanes points had come through a Cruden penalty, kicked following a lengthy delay to cart second-five eighth Charlie Ngatai off with a suspected broken ankle.

Cooper duly out the Reds in front , courtesy of a long-range penalty in the 72nd minute, but the lead failed to stick.

Hurricanes 28 (Faifili Levave, Aaron Cruden, Andre Taylor, Neemia Tialata tries; Cruden con, 2 pen) Queensland Reds 26 (Luke Morahan 2, Scott Higginbotham tries; Quade Copper con, 3 pen). Halftime: 22-5.