Replacement Danny Toala has created Super Rugby history, scoring an extra-time try to catapult newcomers Moana Pasifika to their first win in the competition, 24-19, over the Hurricanes at Mt Smart Stadium.
Trailling 19-12 with three minutes remaining, the Moana forwards won a scrum in the shadow of the goalposts, with No.8 Henry Time-Stowers powering off the back and flanker Solomone Funaki gathering the recycle ball to score. Christian Lelaliifano's conversion levelled the score and his side survived the remaining seconds to force 'Golden Point'.
In overtime, the Hurricanes strung together 12 phases of possession on attack, but when their momentum broke down, the ball was hacked upfield, where Toala won the race to score the matchwinner, sparking wild celebrations among teammates and supporters.
With COVID-19 restrictions still severely limiting any home support, Moana Pasifika's breakthrough victory could not have come at a better time, with crowd limits due to lift this weekend and another 'catch-up' home fixture against crosstown rivals Blues next Tuesday.
Omnicron has done its darnedest to disrupt the franchise's introduction to Super Rugby, sweeping through the roster to delay their season-opener against the Blues and then plaguing opposition teams.
After five rounds, Moana Pasifika had only played twice, without coming close to toppling understrength Crusaders and Chiefs line-ups.
After three weeks on the sidelines, the Hurricanes were also vulnerable, rolling out their fourth inside-back combination in as many game, with All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara and debutant Aidan Morgan the latest suspects.
Early indications suggested the team from the capital would still have too much firepower for their inexperienced opponents, with fullback Jordie Barrett charging through the heart of the defence to open the scoring.
Referee Brendon Pickerill blew a symphony of penalites against the Pacific players, twice reducing them to 14 men, with yellow cards to captain Sekope Kepu and midfielder Levi Aumua in the first half.
But the Hurricanes failed to take full advantage of their overwhelming advantage, allowing No.8 Henry Time-Stowers to charge over beside the posts and Moana Pasifika to reach halftime on level terms.
As they tightened up their discipline through the second half, momentum seemed to swing their way. After debutant winger Josh Moorby put the Hurricanes ahead, Aumua responded in kind, with Lealiifano's conversion putting Moana ahead for the first time.
Prop Alex Fidow immediately restored the Hurricanes lead and with moments remaining, they seemed likely to overcome their inadequacies with a very shaky win, but could not withstand the Pacific passion down the stretch.
Moana Pasifika have an immediate chance to build on their success against the Blues, while the Hurricanes must regroup from landing on the wrong side of history, before facing the Chiefs next Sunday.
Moana Pasifika 24 (Time-Stowers, Funaki, Toala & Aumua tries, Lealiifano 2 conversions) Hurricanes 19 (J Barrett, Fidow & Moorby tries, J Barrett & Love conversions)
