Former England international Brad Shields was hailed for his mental "super strength" after the Hurricanes fought back to beat the Western Force 31-23 in Napier.
Back-rower Shields scored the first try of a resurgent Hurricanes performance in the second half on Friday, after they trailed 11-5 with half an hour remaining in a bruising Super Rugby match.
Four unanswered tries in the space of 20 minutes put the New Zealand side in control. They notched their third win of the season and consigned the Perth-based visitors to a fourth defeat from five games.
Shields was a standout in his 132nd appearance for the Hurricanes – and his 100th start – earning praise from coach Clark Laidlaw, who marvelled at the tough forward's longevity.
After playing eight tests for England in 2018-19, 34-year-old Shields had stints at English club Wasps and French team Perpignan before returning for a second tenure at the Hurricanes in 2024.
"He's been overseas and come back, there's not many players that can do that," Laidlaw said.
"Brad's super strength is around his mindset and wanting to work hard, putting the team first. It's always there.
"A hundred starts takes a lot of doing and I thought he had one of his best games for us for a wee while."
Hurricanes flanker Devan Flanders scored two tries while All Blacks Ruben Love and Tyrel Lomax made their first appearances of the season when they came off the bench, both have recovered from pre-season injuries.
Force coach Simon Cron lamented the second-half display.
His team have led at halftime in their last four games but only gone on to win one of them.
Two late Force tries, including a second to wing Darby Lancaster, added respectability to the scoreline.