The Western Force’s three-game New Zealand tour has ended in defeat, going down 31-23 to the Hurricanes in round 5 of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific at McLean Park in Napier last night.
The Force led at half-time for the fourth straight game, but couldn’t convert that into victory as the Hurricanes’ stacked bench switched the momentum.
The WA side actually led 11-5 early in the second half after Ben Donaldson’s second penalty, before the Hurricanes piled on four unanswered tries inside 20 minutes that turned the game.
The Force rallied with Darby Lancaster’s second try and another from Lopeti Faifua, but it was too little, too late, even for a bonus point, missing out by one.
The Hurricanes have now won their past eight games at McLean Park in Napier.
The Force were outstanding in the first half, combining good discipline with determined defence and some attacking spark from Lancaster, while Kurtley Beale was excellent with his go-forward in the midfield.
But the penalties mounted in the second half as the Hurricanes’ explosive bench made their mark for a five-tries-to-three triumph.
After Beale’s marauding run from the restart, the Hurricanes then earned territory after Donaldson dropped a high ball, eventually ending in Roigard dotting with a feign before a pick and go.
Donaldson threatened again after the break, slicing through the Canes defence, before settling for a second penalty to go up 11-5 as the home side turned to their reinforcements with a flood of changes.
The Hurricanes kept pressing, with the Force valiant in defence but unable to stop Harkin’s powerful line for the hosts’ fourth try. Barrett converted.
The home side were reduced to 14 when Isaia Walker-Leawere was binned for a head shot on Darcy Swain, but the Hurricanes kept scoring.
Donaldson’s clearing kick was charged down by reserve lock Warner Dearns, who scooped it up to score for a 31-11 lead.
In other games, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua play the Brumbies at 3.35pm today, the Crusaders host the Highlanders at 6.05pm, the Reds will face the Waratahs, while the Blues play Moana Pasifika at 2.35pm tomorrow.
Source: rugby.com.au
