Replacement flyhalf Hayden Parker slotted a late penalty goal to secure the Otago Highlanders a nerve-jangling 17-16 win over the Wellington Hurricanes in Dunedin on Saturday in a re-match of last year's Super Rugby title-decider.

The 25-year-old's angled kick from just outside the 22-metre line at Forsyth Barr Stadium gave the champion Highlanders their first win of the season, while leaving last year's runners up 0-2 and under pressure after two rounds.

"It was a good game, wasn't it? Just lucky we managed to pull through at the end there," Highlanders captain Ben Smith said pitchside.

"It was pretty hot in here tonight."

The Hurricanes turned the ball over in the final minute and had one last chance to mount a raid from deep in defence but replacement back Jason Woodward inexplicably booted the ball to touch to guarantee defeat.

The visitors trailed 11-6 at half-time and were eight points adrift after a Lima Sopoaga penalty in the 49th minute, but Hurricanes captain TJ Perenara pulled them back into the game, lunging over the line from the back of a ruck for their only try in the 56th minute.

Flyhalf Beauden Barrett duly converted and booted a p