PERTH - Fullback Cory Jane scored in stoppage time as the Wellington Hurricanes rallied from a 14-point deficit to edge the Western Force 28-27 on Friday in Super 14 match at Subiaco.
The Force led 27-13 after 43rd minutes via a double from winger Nick Cummins and tries to Ryan
Cross and Scott Staniforth and had an 11-point buffer with four minutes remaining.
But Wellington hit back, with first five-eighths Willie Ripia landing a penalty and David Smith crossing in the 77th-minute to close the margin to four points.
Jane stepped inside lock Nathan Sharpe and shrugged off Drew Mitchell to cross in the corner in the final seconds to secure a dramatic win, moving the Hurricanes into fourth place on the standings with five wins from eight matches.
Ripia had opened the scoring with a penalty goal in the fifth minute.
Sharpe had a try disallowed before Cummins crossed for the first try to give the hosts a 7-3 lead.
Ripia landed another penalty to close the gap to one point before but tries to Staniforth in the 30th minute and Cummins' second in the 36th gave the Force a 17-6 buffer.
Ma'a Nonu set up Zac Guildford for Wellington's first try just before half time and but Matt Giteau kicked a penalty goal to make it 20-13 at the break.
The Force earned a bonus point with their fourth try when Cross scored just after the break and seemed to have the win secured until Wellington scored two tries in the last four minutes to grab the win.
Scores:
Wellington 28 (Zac Guildford, David Smith, Cory Jane tries; William Ripia 2 conversions, 3 penalties), Western Force 27 (Nick Cummins 2, Scott Staniforth, Ryan Cross tries; Matt Giteau 2 conversions, 1 penalty). HT: 13-20.
-AP
