Hurricanes sweep away Perth’s Force

There have been prettier, more polished performances from the Hurricanes.

But they were professional and pretty accurate in securing a bonus-point 41-6 win over the Western Force in Friday night’s Super Rugby match in Palmerston North.

The Hurricanes finished the match very strongly, after taking some time to overcome the Force.

There were varying reasons for that early stalemate, but you couldn’t fault the intent of either side.

When the ball was in play during the first 40 minutes, both teams attempted to do positive things with it.

So often, though, a routine stoppage prompted some sort of water break, making it difficult for CET Arena crowd of 8268 to remain attentive.

After a while you just get bored of watching groups of guys talking and drinking.

First five-eighth Beauden Barrett couldn’t convert an early opportunity to kick the Hurricanes in front. Force opposite Peter Grant was more accurate and it was the visitors that were 3-0 up after 12 minutes.

They enjoyed quite a good period midway through the half and ought to have extended that lead. But a missed Grant kick, among other things, meant they didn’t turn the ascendancy into points.

It was Hurricanes captain Dane Coles that made the Force pay.

A 26th-minute chance to kick for goal was turned down, with Barrett instead finding touch five metres from the Force’s line.

The Hurricanes twice drove the Blues over for tries from identical situations the previous week and the Force must’ve expected the same.

Only the Hurricanes took a cue from what the Brumbies did to them in round one and opted for a neat rehearsed move.

Replays at the ground were inconclusive, but it appeared that Ardie Savea was the player who peeled around from the back of the lineout to receive quick ball from the front.

The ball was immediately passed on to hooker Coles, who used strength and footwork to slam the ball down for the game’s opening try. Barrett converted from wide out to make it 7-3.

The game ebbed and flowed with the Force arguably enjoying the best of it.

The Hurricanes were having to rely on counterattacks and it was from one those that Barrett kicked the penalty which gave the Hurricanes their 10-3 halftime advantage.

Grant narrowed that to 10-6 immediately after the break and the Hurricanes had some work to do if they were going to get their second win of the season.

Vaea Fifita almost provided the perfect response, galloping down the left flank and scoring.

The celebrations were shortlived, with the blindside flanker ruled to have stepped in touch.