Hooker Andrew Hore scored a brilliant second-half try to lift the Wellington Hurricanes to a 33-18 win over South Africa's Lions in Super 14 rugby on Saturday.

Hore broke from a ruck 30 metres from the Lions' goal line in the 50th minute, fended off one player and sidestepped another to give Wellington a 13-point lead.

Trailing 21-7, the Lions started the second half strongly, scoring a try through No.8 Todd Clever who is the first American to play in Super 14. The Lions closed to 21-15 before Hore's try gave the Hurricanes breathing space.

Tries to lock Michael Paterson, halfback Piri Weepu and winger David Smith gave Wellington its third win in as many games and a bonus point. The Johannesburg-based Lions are 0-3.

"I was waiting for someone to catch me and then I was waiting for someone to pass to," Hore said of his match-winning try.

"I didn't show any emotion after scoring because I knew if I did the guys would give me grief for weeks to come. I think I ran further to score that try than I did for all my other tries in the Super 14 combined."

Hore's try helped the Hurricanes repel a stern challenge from the Lions.

"We showed that when we keep possession and build pressure we can be very dangerous," Lions captain Cobus Grobbelaar said.

"But when you give away too many penalties and miss too many tackles you're going to pay for it."

Wellington edged to an early 6-0 lead with penalties to flyhalf Willie Ripia, the first from close to halfway. Paterson's 12th-minute try gave them an 11-0 lead.

Derick Minnie responded with the Lions' first try after 23 minutes, driven over the goal line after his team had chosen to kick for touch rather than goal from a penalty.

Ripia nudged Wellington further ahead with his third penalty, then Weepu scored from an attacking scrum to help the Hurricanes to a 14-point lead at the break.

The Lions got a Clever try after 42 minutes and a penalty to fullback Earl Rose to cut the deficit to 21-15. Hore's try, which re-established Wellington's lead became vital in the close-fought match.

Rose cut the Hurricanes' lead to 10 points with a 52nd-minute penalty before Smith's late try gave Wellington a win and a bonus point.

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