Lock Blade Thomson provided the finish to two counter-attacks to help the Hurricanes keep their Super Rugby play-off hopes alive with a 16-9 win over the Crusaders in Wellington.
Thomson scored the game's only two tries, touching down once in each half as the Hurricanes consolidated their spot in the top six.
His second came with just two points separating the teams and six minutes showing on the clock, when he latched on to a kick ahead by winger Cory Janes and sprinted 40 metres.
First five-eighth Beauden Barrett, who had an excellent game with some typical elusive running, couldn't slot the sideline conversion that would have opened the margin beyond seven points.
In a nail-biting finish, the Crusaders then had the field position to manufacture a late twist but the home side's defence held up.
The bonus point for the Crusaders did at least mean they go back on top of the New Zealand conference, ahead of the Highlanders on countback.
Victory was particularly important for the Hurricanes, who have only one more game left in the regular season to improve their position on the ladder.
They came away with the spoils despite struggling in the set pieces.
They also lost No.8 Victor Vito and second five-eighth Alapati Leuia inside the first eight minutes to leg injuries.
However, they did have the better of the opening spell and Thomson's first try contributed to an 11-3 lead at the break.
Winger Julian Savea sparked the sortie with a kick and chase and when the Hurricanes won the ball back at the ensuing ruck, Barrett's big cut-out pass found Thomson out wide.
Barrett also missed that conversion, but earlier, when he landed the first of his two penalties, he broke his record of 197 for most Hurricanes points in a season.
For the Crusaders, All Blacks star Dan Carter made his return off the bench after a six-month break from the game.
Carter came on in the 54th minute as starting first five-eighth Colin Slade, who was hit in heavy contact while attempting a tackle, left for a concussion test that he then failed.
With 11 minutes left, Carter attempted a long-range drop goal to put his side in front, but the kick went wide.
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