Emirates Western Force

Hurricanes (NZ)

A dazzling opening 20 minutes by the Hurricanes sank the Emirates Western Force and led to a 29-5 win in their Super 14 game at New Plymouth's Yarrow Stadium.

Three first half tries suggested a runaway contest for the Force, who were hamstrung by errors at vital moments in the game, but hung on and pressured the Hurricanes into a stilted and patternless second half.

It was only in the last four minutes that the Hurricanes broke the shackles and scored a bonus point try.

The Hurricanes scored first when hooker Andrew Hore capitalised on early Western Force mistakes from the outset. A tap penalty from a ruck resulted in Hore driving through to score, two minutes into the game.

The Force responded with a bold assault, but couldn't control the ball and quick ball was spun across the Hurricanes' 22m line. Centre Conrad Smith moved left and unloaded right for fullback Isaia Toeava to race into a gap and draw the defence to send wing Lome Fa'atau in for his 20th try for the Hurricanes.

Eight minutes gone and the Hurricanes were 14-0 up. However, Smith was injured in the move and stretchered from the field.

A period of sustained occupancy of the Hurricanes half ended when wing Digby Ioane attempted to run a clearing kick back up but lost the ball in the ruck and the Hurricanes cleared to the Force 22m area.

Their next points came via a Gopperth penalty goal after 28 minutes.

Three minutes later, after strong breaks by wing Hosea Gear and Toeava, the Force was guilty of tapping ball at a lineout 10 minutes from its own line. It bounced in space and lock Jason Eaton was through quickly to score on his home ground.

Toeava played with increasing confidence and combination with his adopted side and ran strongly into the line on several occasions.

The Hurricanes led 22-0 at half-time.

The Force couldn’t get anything to go for them. From a lineout drive close to the line, the forwards looked to get over the line but there was no conclusive evidence the ball had been grounded.

From another attack two minutes later Haig Gare got close but was pulled down just short of the line.

The Hurricanes were stretched wide, but remained unflustered and covered all the breaks.

That was typified in the 17th minute after a blindside break by halfback Matt Henjak. He passed infield to lock Nathan Sharpe but he was pulled down by No 8 Rodney So'oialo and rolled on his back before he could touch down.

The game deteriorated and not even the infusion of replacements could lift the Hurricanes to sustained control.

However, the scent of a bonus point try lifted them in the last few minutes and from a storming break by second five-eighths Ma'a Nonu and grand support play resulted in Eaton crashing over for his second try.

Scott Staniforth gained some sort of respect for the Force, going over out wide at the final whistle to bring the final score to 29-5.

Hurricanes 29

Tries: Eaton 2, Hore, Fa atau

Conversions: Gopperth 3

Penalties: Gopperth

Emirates Western Force 5

Try: Staniforth