Rugby: Hurricanes sweep Force aside

Aaron Cruden of the Hurricanes is tackled by Sam Wykes of Western Force during round two Super 14 match in Wellington. Photo / Getty Images

The Hurricanes raced in seven tries to swat aside the Western Force 47-22 and continue their unbeaten start to the Super 14 rugby season here tonight.

The hosts were at microscopic odds to beat the injury-ravaged Force, and despite some scratchy periods either side of halftime were too classy as the margin blew out with three late tries.

Hurricanes winger David Smith scored a double, both created by All Black Tamati Ellison who also laid on a first half try for fellow international Cory Jane.

"We had to work pretty hard in the first 40 minutes but Vinny (Munro, referee) did a good job controlling it, we got some good quick ball and scored some good tries in the end," home captain Andrew Hore told Sky Sports.

The John Mitchell-coached Force meanwhile return to Perth and lick their wounds ahead of a tough match against the unbeaten Chiefs next weekend.

Wallabies forwards David Pocock and Richard Brown were the latest of a long list of injury casualties last week, which saw the Force run onto Westpac Stadium as massive $8 outsiders tonight.

Wallaby James O'Connor was a class act at fullback for the young Force side but they struggled to retain the ball for long periods and made costly defensive errors.

"Early in the second half we were right in there and played some good football, but when we look back we'll rue our own mistakes," Force captain Nathan Sharpe said.

"We missed a few one on one tackles and that gifted them a few tries. The Hurricanes are one of the sides you can't do that against."

The Hurricanes dominated possession in the opening quarter and cantered to an 18-3 lead by the 25-minute mark.

Jane scored first from a pinpoint Ellison kick over the flat Force defence, then Ellison popped up on the left to grubber for Smith's first touchdown.

The second quarter was the Force's best period, with Christchurch-born midfielder Josh Tatupu scoring from a brilliant counter-attack then loose forward Matt Hodgson held up over the line.

From 18-8 up at halftime, tries to flanker Michael Paterson and Smith saw the Hurricanes' lead balloon to 28-8 but the Force wouldn't surrender.

Winger Dane Haylett-Petty scored after excellent work from O'Connor and the visitors trailed by just 13.

But three tries in nine minutes snuffed out the Force, with Neemia Tialata barging over, Ma'a Nonu sent away by the impressive benchman Aaron Cruden, and fellow reserve Tyson Keats finishing the job.

Big prop Tialata also appeared unlucky to be denied a rare double by the television match official when he appealed for a try beside the posts in the dying minutes.

Force reserve Chris O'Young scored a consolation try in injury time, set up by a Tatupu break.

- NZPA