The Hurricanes have been forced to dig deep in the second half for a 31-23 win over the Western Force

The Force threatened to smash a 12-year hoodoo with a first victory over Kiwi opposition in New Zealand in more than a decade before the Hurricanes stormed home on Friday night.

From a six-point deficit early in the second half, the Hurricanes piled on four quickfire tries to run away with the match at Napier’s McLean Park. 

After winning just two of their past 26 games across the Tasman since 2014, both against Moana Pasifika, the Force enjoyed a shock 8-5 halftime lead.

A 27th-minute try to winger Darby Lancaster and Ben Donaldson’s penalty goal trumped the Hurricanes’ only first-half five-pointer to livewire scrumhalf Cam Roigard.

It came after relentless pressure from the Hurricanes led to nothing amid some fierce defence from the visitors.

Donaldson extended the Force’s advantage with a second penalty shortly after the break.

But the match quickly turned after Hurricanes flanker Brad Shields crashed over in the 48th minute to open the floodgates.

Further tries to No.8 Devan Flanders, flyhalf Callum Harkin and replacement lock Warner Dearns sealed the Force’s fate and consigned the Perth franchise to a fourth loss from five outings to start the season.

Dearns’ try was the pick of the lot, charging down Donaldson’s kick and racing away with the hosts down a man following Isaia Walker-Leawere’s yellow card for a high cleanout.

Late tries to Lancaster and Lopeti Faifua were not enough for the Force to snatch a bonus point.

“That first 20 in the second half we got punched in the face a bit. Really great reply in the end. But only if there was five more minutes,” Force captain Jeremy Williams lameted post-match.

Hurricanes 31 (Tries: Roigard, Shields, Flanders, Harkin, Dearns; Cons: Barrett 3) def Western Force 23 (Tries: Lancaster 2, Faifua; Cons: Donaldson; Pens: Donaldson 2)

Teams

Hurricanes: 15 Josh Moorby, 14 Bailyn Sullivan, 13 Jone Rova, 12 Jordie Barrett (co-captain), 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 10 Callum Harkin, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Devan Flanders, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-captain), 6 Brad Shields, 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 Caleb Delany, 3 Pasilio Tosi, 2 Jacob Devery, 1 Pouri Rakete-Stones,

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Warner Dearns, 20 Brayden Iose, 21 Jordi Viljoen, 22 Ruben Love, 23 Riley Higgins

Western Force: 15 Max Burey, 14 Darby Lancaster, 13 George Bridge, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Bayley Kuenzle, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Henry Robertson, 8 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Will Harris, 5 Darcy Swain, 4 Jeremy Williams (captain), 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Tom Robertson

Replacements: 16 Nic Dolly, 17 Marley Pearce, 18 Misinale Epenisa, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Lopeti Faifua, 21 Nathan Hastie, 22 Taj Annan, 23 Hamish Stewart

Referee: Todd Petrie

Assistant referees: Fraser Hannon, Ben Woolerton

TMO: Glenn Newman