Need northerlies out here at sea? Like a hole in the face! (7)

I believe the answer is:

nostril

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'hole in the face' is the definition.
(nostrils are orifices on someone's face)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nostril that I've seen before include "Nasal passage" , "Part of nose" , "A hole in the head" , "Nasal feature" , "Opening of the nose" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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