The Hurricanes have extended their lead on top of the ladder with a 54-28 win over the Melbourne Rebels in Palmerston North
Once again, the Rebels struggled in the first half, falling behind as the hosts ran riot.
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Winger Salesi Rayasi scored a double as they took a 33-7 lead into the break.
The injection of Mason Gordon, brother of Wallaby Carter, off the bench provided some spark as he crossed for his debut try as part of three Rebels second half tries.
However, it was all the Hurricanes as Jordie Barrett's second sealed maximum points and the convincing win.
Frustrated Rebels coach Kevin Foote said his team gave the ruthless home side too many opportunities, particularly in the first half.
"It's the way we've been playing. We're not starting very well and then we're showing a lot of character to come back," Foote told Stan Sport.
"It was 21-21 in the second half but it's the start of the game that we've got to get right.
"You can't start Super Rugby like that, especially in NZ, so we will keep looking."
The Rebels rallied to open the scoring in the second half through centre Lukas Ripley, and the team came together when youngster Mason Gordon crossed in his Super debut.
Replacing Andrew Kellaway at fullback, the 21-year-old ran onto a ball from his Wallabies playmaker brother Carter and made his way through some heavy traffic to make it 47-19.
While the battered Melbourne kept toiling away, the Hurricanes kept them at bay as they racked up a total of eight tries for the night.
Veteran halfback TJ Perenara was among the try-scorers while Jordie Barrett collected a five-pointer in each half in his return from a two-game suspension.
"Rebels are a great side, they play a lot of rugby and they've been going through a bit of adversity as a franchise and we knew they were going to keep turning up for each other," said All Blacks centre Barrett.
"We showed great control, particularly with a lot of rotation and changes ... it was important for us to start strong.
"We got a little bit loose in the end but we will take the win."
Hurricanes 54 (TRIES: Barrett 2, Rayasi 2, Shields, Perenara, Godfrey, Kirif; CONS: Morgan 7) def Melbourne Rebels 28 (TRIES: Ripley, Smith, M. Gordon, Uelese; CONS: C.Gordon 4)
HURRICANES (1-15): Pouri Rakete-Stones, James O'Reilly, Tyrel Lomax, Justin Sangster, Caleb Delany, Brad Shields (c), Du’Plessis Kirifi, Devan Flanders, TJ Perenara, Aidan Morgan, Salesi Rayasi, Jordie Barrett, Ngane Punivai, Daniel Sinkinson, Harry Godfrey
RESERVES: Asafo Aumua, Tevita Mafileo, Pasilio Tosi, James Tucker, Brayden Iose, Richard Judd, Riley Higgins, Josh Moorby
REBELS (1-15): Isaac Kailea, Jordan Uelese, Sam Talakai, Angelo Smith, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Rob Leota (c), Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Glen Vaihu, David Feliuai, Lukas Ripley, Lachie Anderson, Andrew Kellaway
RESERVES: Alex Mafi, Cabous Eloff, Taniela Tupou, Josh Canham, Daniel Maiava, Jack Maunder, Mason Gordon, Nick Jooste
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referee: Angus Mabey, Marcus Playle
