Highlanders coach Glenn Moore said his side played well in patches but labelled the sin-binning of Adam Thomson as ridiculous.
Moore said he could not understand why Thomson was sent to the sin bin, just minutes after the Hurricanes were given a general warning from referee Vinny Munro.
"I thought it was ridiculous. He said Adam dived in off his feet. It looked to us like he was pulled in," Moore said last night.
"Just prior to that a warning was given out to the other team." When Thomson was off the field, the Highlanders conceded 10 points and missed the blond flanker, who was all over the paddock, putting in an outstanding effort.
Moore said it was another heartbreaker for the Highlanders and came down to critical errors at vital times.
He admitted the side did not get the rub of the green during the game but had the satisfaction of getting a bonus point.
The side had controlled the ball well in the wet, and was pleased with the side's commitment.
Highlanders captain Jason Shoemark said the side had played well in patches and had fought back well to take the lead after being 10 points down.
"In the first half we did not capitalise on the opportunities we created and when you play a team like the Hurricanes you need to take those chances and score," Shoemark said.
The side had to start better in the second half. The tries conceded at the end had come from individual errors so it was not really a mental thing, but it was not easy losing close games, and the side had to shut teams out.
Hurricanes captain Tamati Ellison said his side played well in parts, but the Highlanders took their opportunities while his side made too many mistakes and coughed up too much ball. He said the side fought hard to come back and win, but had plenty to work on.
