When Jimmy did a Jonny

The Hurricanes fans were singing the praises of young first five-eighth Jimmy Gopperth as he carried his team to a last-gasp win in rainy Palmerston North last night.

Gopperth's drop goal with time almost up ensured the Hurricanes returned to their winning ways over a luckless Stormers.

Referee George Ayoub was playing advantage as the Hurricanes launched a late, lengthy maul towards the Stormers line. Rather than take his chances with a shot at goal, Gopperth potted the goal, in best Jonny Wilkinson in the World Cup final style.

The Stormers could put up a good case they deserved at least a share of the points. They had much the better of the territory, had a vastly superior scrum, but it wasn't enough for a Hurricanes side which showed plenty of spirit when it counted.

When the rain began early in the first half it made the minimising of mistakes essential. It also made territory critical and the Stormers clearly decided they'd rather play the game in the Hurricanes' half.

But it was a miserable night. Both hookers had difficulties throwing straight at the lineout and both teams coughed up possession rather more easily than they should, even allowing for the slippery ball.

Three penalties were all the first-half scoring, but the Stormers would have felt they should have been further than three points ahead.

The Hurricanes twice held strong as the Stormers mounted concerted attacks, with several phases, not far off the hosts' line.

Chris Rossouw put the Stormers ahead in the fifth minute after a ruck infringement; Gopperth equalised soon after from 40m before Rossouw regained the lead when Ben Herring was sin binned.

Ayoub had warned Hurricanes captain Tana Umaga minutes earlier for players joining rucks from illegal positions. From that point, there was an accident waiting to happen, and it just happened to be Herring.

Wing Jean de Villiers scythed through the Hurricanes line, kicked ahead and was taken out by Hurricanes halfback Isaac Boss. Ayoub reckoned that was okay.

The best break of the half came from the perky Gopperth, who slashed through the Stormers' defence midway through the half.

Much of the second half was a dour, rugged battle. Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith combined for the best break of the half, which led to Gopperth pulling the Hurricanes level at 9-9 18 minutes from the end.

In his first Super 12 season, Gopperth has mixed some elementary mistakes with magic moments. In that sense, he fits the Hurricanes' image, dazzling one moment, dodgy the next. But he can kick goals, from hand and ground, for which the Hurricanes last night were thankful.

Hurricanes: J. Gopperth 3 pen, 1 drop goal. Stormers: C. Rossouw 3 pen. HT: 3-6.