A second-half fight back has lifted the Hurricanes to a 38-27 Super Rugby victory over the Lions in Wellington.
Trailing 20-8 after tries to Jaco Taute and Doppies La Grange cancelled out an early five-pointed to Aaron Cruden, the Hurricanes looked to be in trouble as defensive lapses and an inability to control the ball hampered them.
But a Hosea Gear try just before half-time sparked the home side and they kept up the pressure in the second spell with Nonu adding a third try and Gear completing his double to give the Hurricanes back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Aaron Cruden continued his fine goal-kicking form with four penalties and three conversions for an 18-point haul.
The Hurricanes made a lot of the early running but were 6-5 down by the end of the first quarter.
Cruden got the home side off to the perfect start when he crossed the line with just four minutes gone.
The try came after a superb counter-attack from inside the Hurricanes' own 22 which saw Cory Jane gather the loose ball, Nonu fire out a long pass to Alapati Leiua who raced 60 metres up field before Taute hauled down the right winger.
The ball was recycled and when Jayden Hayward, starting after Conrad Smith failed to recover from a twisted ankle, put boot to ball Dylan des Fountain was forced to carry it back.
The ball was moved right from the resulting five metre scrum and Cruden forced his way over.
The lead was short lived though as Neemia Tialata was penalised for not rolling at the ruck then captain Andrew Hore – restored to the starting line-up - played the ball off his feet and Elton Jantjies converted both penalty kicks.
Things got even worse for the Hurricanes when the Lions worked themselves back into the home side's 22 from the restart and Taute kicked over the top of the defence, the bounce deceived Hosea Gear and the Lions fullback pounced to score in the corner. Jantjies converted from out wide.
Cruden clawed back three points with a penalty but some poor defending, a problem for much of the season, saw Lions skipper La Grange grab a second try for his side as he bounced out of the tackle of Jane and forced the ball down despite the best efforts of Gear. Jantjies was again on target with the conversion and the Lions went into the break 20-15 ahead.
Two early Cruden penalties after the restart nudged the Hurricanes in front, but they were fortunate to get the second one as Nonu's forward pass to Hayward went undetected by the officials.
With little headway being made with ball in hand and steady rain, Nonu dropped a pinpoint kick towards the corner. Taute gathered it but was immediately brought down by Jane and eventually the penalty was conceded.
The Hurricanes opted for the scrum and a nice angled run by Nonu off a well-weighted pass by Cruden saw the All Blacks second five-eighths over by the posts.
Nonu turned provider a few minutes later when he off-loaded in the tackle to a hard-running Gear, who went over virtually untouched for his second of the night.
Like last week against the Highlanders, the Lions refused to give up and their patience and persistence was rewarded seven minutes from time. Having camped in the Hurricanes'' 22 for several