All Blacks skipper Tana Umaga showed his class as Wellington proved too strong for the Queensland Reds in the Super 12 rugby union match at Ballymore.

The Hurricanes won 24-10 with winger Lome Fa'atau capping off the win with a try at the death and they now head to South Africa with an important win under their belts.

Both teams scored two tries apiece with poor goalkicking from Julian Huxley - who missed all four attempts - proving costly for the Reds.

Wellington led 13-5 at half time with Umaga setting up centre partner Ma'a Nonu for a try off a pass which looked forward.

Umaga was everywhere and one of his finest moments of the game was when he ripped the ball from Reds winger Wendell Sailor then put Queensland on the defensive with a charging run and kick downfield.

The Reds had made a spectacular start with skipper Elton Flatley scoring the opening try after just 27 seconds.

Huxley - in the highlight of a mixed night - kicked and chased when Brent Ward failed to find touch and then tapped the ball back to Flatley who stepped inside the flying Fa'atau to score in the corner.

The Reds were frustrated all night by the spoiling tactics of the Hurricanes at the breakdown.

South African referee Shaun Veldsman finally took action early in the second half when he sent lock Ross Kennedy to the sin bin for 10 minutes.

The Reds immediately took advantage of the extra man with lock Nathan Sharpe crashing over off a pass from replacement half Nic Berry.

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