Rugby: Hurricanes beat Chiefs in final pre-season match

Flanker Karl Lowe snatched a late intercept try to hand the Hurricanes a 17-12 win over the Chiefs in both teams' final Super 14 pre-season rugby match at Rotorua today.

In hot, hard conditions, Lowe's 70m try made the difference after the Chiefs had turned around a 7-10 halftime deficit through a try to stand-in captain Sione Lauaki.

The Hurricanes' first-half lead was built around unconverted tries to outside back Tamati Ellison and flanker Scott Waldrom while flanker Tanerau Latimer snared the Chiefs' lone first-half score.

Neither team appeared to suffer any serious injury concerns.

The result completed a perfect pre-season record for the Hurricanes, who have also beaten the Blues and ACT Brumbies in trial matches before they open the Super 14 next Friday against the Blues in Auckland.

Conversely, the Chiefs are winless, having also suffered narrow losses to the Highlanders and Blues.

They leave on Sunday ahead of their opening match against the Sharks in Durban.

Result: Hurricanes 17 (Tamati Ellison, Scott Waldrom, Karl Lowe tries; Aaron Cruden con) Chiefs 12 (Tanerau Latimer, Sione Lauaki tries; Stephen Donald con). Halftime: 10-7.

- NZPA