The Hurricanes may have to start relying on more than themselves if they want to make the Super Rugby playoffs.
After they were tipped over 18-16 by the Highlanders at Westpac Stadium in Wellington tonight they severely hurt their chances of making the post-season.
They've got four games left, all of which are against New Zealand opposition, and will likely need other results to fall their way to make the top six.
The Highlanders didn't manage to cross the line all night but the steady boot of first-five Hayden Parker provided all the points they needed.
It was a contest the Hurricanes should have won. They were at full strength, had home advantage but they didn't execute when they were expected to.
The Hurricanes found it tough to get quick ruck ball all evening as the Highlanders defended stoutly and were able to slow play at the breakdown.
Defence was a feature of the game as neither side were willing to give an inch and they were committed to keeping their line intact.
The same couldn't be said for the lineout, which was poor from both sides as every hooker who came on the paddock struggled with their throwing.
Scoring was fairly muted during the opening 40 minutes as two evenly-matched sides began to feel each other out.
Burly Highlanders prop Ma'afu Fia went close but Julian Savea's improved defensive game was again on display as he dislodged the ball from the bookend's grasp during the opening quarter.
Savea, who has been damaging on attack in 2014, is starting to show greater discipline on the other side of the ball and it is a scary prospect to think how he good he can become as an all-round player if his tackling develops further.
After both sides exchanged a couple of penalties each, Hurricanes halfback TJ Perenara broke the game open with some nifty work at the back of the scrum as he picked the pocket of All Black incumbent Aaron Smith.
Perenara's handy work and a conversion from Andre Taylor, who took over kicking duties from a hobbled Beauden Barrett, saw the Hurricanes take a 13-9 advantage to the break.
Perenara and Smith's battle was one of the features of a tight contest and while the latter is clearly the No 1 halfback in the country, Perenara is in search of a test debut despite being a regular squad member for the All Blacks last year.
The struggle continued in the second spell as neither could assert themselves on the game.
Taylor's boot kept the Hurricanes in front for a while before Parker, who had been tremendous all evening, added a drop goal in the 65th minute to give the Highlanders a lead they would never give up.
Taylor had the chance to reclaim the advantage in the 72nd minute but his regulation penalty attempt went wide with the game on the line.
Then Perenara looked like he had stolen the game back for the Hurricanes with a desperate lunge that dotted the ball down with only a few minutes left but the TMO believed there was obstruction at the ruck and the try was disallowed.
- by Daniel Richardson of APNZ
Highlanders 18 (Hayden Parker 5 pen, drop goal) Hurricanes 16 (TJ Perenara try; Beauden Barrett 2 pen; Andre Taylor pen, con) Halftime: 9-13
