Source: Radio New Zealand
Hurricanes half back Cam Roigard kicks ahead during the Super Rugby Pacific game against the Western Force. Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
After an error-ridden first 40, a disjointed looking Hurricanes side went to the sheds trailing the Force 8-5 at McLean Park.
Cue the cavalry.
Bolstered by their bench, the Hurricanes went on a rampage, notching 26 unanswered points to secure a 31-23 win which shoots them to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific table.
It was the Force who struck first through the boot of Ben Donaldon and then electric winger Darby Lancaster, standing up his opposite Bailyn Sullivan for the first try.
Cam Roigard got the Canes on the board, sniping from the base of the ruck, but it was not enough as they would trail the Force 8-5 at the break.
A Donaldson penalty opened things up in the second with another penalty before the floodgates opened, reinforcements arriving from the bench to immediate affect.
Brad Shields kicked off the scoring spree from short range, the Hurricanes going back to back courtesy of a quick tap by Roigard which sent Devan Flanders away.
Callum Harkin stretched the lead, running a superb line to cross the chalk before Warner Dearns soared into the sky to charge down a Donaldson kick, regather, and streak away.
The Force pulled a couple back through Lancaster and Jetaya Faifua, but the deficit was too great, the Hurricanes closing out their third win of the season.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
