Rugby: Hurricanes win thriller in Perth

Matt Giteau of the Force attempts to fend off a tackle by Rodney So'Oialo and Cory Jane of the Hurricanes. Photo / Getty Images

A try after the fulltime hooter from fullback Cory Jane saw the Hurricanes rise from the dead to topple the Western Force 28-27 in their Super 14 rugby match in Perth tonight.

The Force looked all over the winners after dominating much of the match, but the desperate Hurricanes stormed home with two tries in the final five minutes to David Smith and Jane.

Trailing 23-27, the Hurricanes showed composure with several phases as the hooter sounded at Subiaco Oval, and they finally went wide to reserve Tamati Ellison to feed his fullback who broke two tackles to score the matchwinner.

They were down and out at 16-27 in the 77th minute after a series of handling errors before Smith raced across down the left to give them hope.

It was the Hurricanes' fifth win from eight matches and put them firmly in top-four territory with three consecutive home matches looming while for coach John Mitchell's shattered Force it almost certainly spelt the end of their season.

"We certainly needed this win, it's very tough here especially with the travel. The boys only had one training run but they really stuck to it today and I'm very proud of them," captain Rodney So'oialo told Fox Sports.

The Force scored four tries to three but needed maximum points tonight after starting the weekend in 10th spot, three points behind the Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes lost their only previous visit to Subiaco, 17-18 in 2007, and looked destined to remain winless there.

Brimming with confidence from their 39-7 home win over the Reds last weekend, the Force flew into their work to score three first half tries en route to a 20-13 lead at the break.

In contrast the Hurricanes, who had a torrid 17-33 defeat to the table-topping Sharks in Durban, showed the effects of the flight across the Indian Ocean and quick backup.

Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper called for more set piece accuracy pre-match, but the Force scrum anchored by former Chief Ben Castle built some early ascendancy. A big shove set up their opening try to winger Nick Cummins from a well worked move in close.

Two penalties from first five-eighth Willie Ripia, in for the injured Piri Weepu (hamstring), kept the visitors hanging in before the Force seized control with two tries in four minutes.

Both were from simple overlaps after a solid forward platform; Wallaby Scott Staniforth scoring on the right flank then Cummins bagging his second to make it 17-6.

A Force error and solid leadup work from Ma'a Nonu gave the Hurricanes some hope when he slipped a pass to winger Zac Guildford to score just before the break.

But a brain explosion from prop Neemia Tialata further hurt the Hurricanes when he was yellow carded by referee Stu Dickinson on the stroke of halftime for holding back Force midfielder Junior Pelesasa with the hosts try-bound.

The Force punished a 14-man Hurricanes three minutes after the break when Wallaby Ryan Cross scythed through a gap from close range to make it a handy 27-13 lead.

The Hurricanes mounted several promising attacks to bridge the gap but struggled to finish as the Force defended stoutly and errors crept in.

So'oialo turned down a penalty shot at goal then knocked on, before Ripia goaled another penalty to make it an 11-point deficit with 15 minutes left.

- NZPA