The lack of a penalty try on the final play left Manly Sea Eagles, and Addin Fonua-Blake in particular, irate with referee Grant Atkins.
The Hurricanes claimed their first win of the Super Rugby Aotearoa season on Sunday.
Penrith Panthers moved up to second in the NRL, though there was no such joy for Brisbane Broncos, whose players were left in tears.
The Rebels came up short with a second-half fightback as the Brumbies ran in five tries in a 31-21 Super Rugby AU victory.
In his first game in New Zealand since 2015, Dan Carter kicked 12 points while playing for his hometown club Southbridge.
The Crusaders maintained their unbeaten start to the Super Rugby Aotearoa season by beating the Highlanders 40-20 on Saturday.
Wigan Warriors have announced John Bateman will be rejoining them in 2021 after cutting short his time with Canberra Raiders.
Parramatta Eels tormented North Queensland Cowboys in a one-sided NRL clash, Maika Sivo scoring four of their seven tries.
The scores were level in the closing stages at Suncorp Stadium, but James O'Connor's penalties saw the Reds past the Waratahs.
Israel Folau was linked with a return to the NRL or a Top 14 switch, but the 31-year-old is staying with Catalans Dragons.