The Force threatened to smash a 12-year hoodoo with a first victory over Kiwi opposition in New Zealand in more than a decade before the Hurricanes stormed home on Friday night.
From a six-point deficit early in the second half, the Hurricanes piled on four quickfire tries to run away with the match at Napier's McLean Park.Â
After winning just two of their past 26 games across the Tasman since 2014, both against Moana Pasifika, the Force enjoyed a shock 8-5 halftime lead.
A 27th-minute try to winger Darby Lancaster and Ben Donaldson's penalty goal trumped the Hurricanes' only first-half five-pointer to livewire scrumhalf Cam Roigard.
Donaldson extended the Force's advantage with a second penalty shortly after the break.
But the match quickly turned after Hurricanes flanker Brad Shields crashed over in the 48th minute to open the floodgates.
Further tries to No.8 Devan Flanders, flyhalf Callum Harkin and replacement lock Warner Dearns sealed the Force's fate and consigned the Perth franchise to a fourth loss from five outings to start the season.
Late tries to Lancaster and Lopeti Faifua were not enough to even snatch the Force a bonus point as they suffered an eight-point loss for the second week running.
"The second half we got punched in the face a bit," said Force captain Jeremy Williams.
"A lot of positives but there's no good being close. You've got to get the win and that's what we're looking to do.
"We've got a bye week coming up, so a good chance to get away from footy, refresh your mind, refresh your body and then get back to Perth and start ripping in."
The WA outfit had shocked the league and rugby world this week, announcing they had signed Lomax on a two-year deal after the former Test and NSW State of Origin star lost his Supreme Court battle to join the Melbourne Storm after walking out on Parramatta.
Lomax was foreshadowed to make his Super Rugby Pacific debut after the Force's round-six bye next week.
But coach Simon Cron on Wednesday said he was reluctant to throw the winger in the deep end against the Chiefs, indicating away games against the Queensland Reds on April 4 and Fijian Drua (April 11) or the home clash with the Crusaders on April 18 as the more likely options.
With the Force now languishing in equal-last spot with Moana and the Fijian Drua, Cron may be tempted to change his mind.
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