Forward brawn puts Stags in front
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:34
Southland will go into their upcoming Ranfurly Shield challenge against Auckland with confidence, after an impressive 31-8 Air New Zealand (NZ) Cup win over the Steelers on Thursday.
Southland proved just how powerful their forward pack can be when on the front foot, helping Simon Culhane's Stags secure their first home victory at Invercargill this season.
The first points of the match were only scored after 30 minutes thanks to some Southland forward grunt, while All Black scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan impressed with some emphatic ball distribution.
Romi Ropati was sound on defence for Counties Manukau, just a day before joining the Samoan squad.
Southland were however repeatedly undone by the Steelers' ability to create turnovers at the breakdown, with Sevens star DJ Forbes at the forefront of such.
Southland produced a dangerous attack in the 26th minute, with both Cowan and then Jason Kawau cut down when they looked destined to open the scoring.
The Southlanders then turned to their forwards, with the ball rarely getting beyond Cowan - the forward muscle giving the hosts plenty of yardage.
David Hall then opened the scoring in the 30th minute for Southland, being helped over the line by his teammates off a 5m scrum. Flyhalf Robbie Robertson was however unsuccessful with his conversion attempt.
Counties wing Lelia Masaga turned the pressure back on the hosts just before half-time with a skilled chip over the defensive line, but some committed cover defence averted danger just shy of the try-line.
It was Tim Nanai-Williams who eventually got Counties Manukau on the scoreboard with a penalty on half-time, with the visitors trailing narrowly, 3-5.
Counties Manukau came out strong at the restart. A misplaced pass from Southland's Cowan added to put his side on the back foot, but the All Black redeemed himself soon after with a towering clearing kick.
Southland continued to play into the Steelers' hands, opting for an expansive game which allowed the visitors to rush up and force turnovers.
A return to forward brawn paid dividends for the Stags in the 50th minute, sucking in the Counties Manukau defence with a series of forward surges - before going wide and putting Mark Wells over the line. Robertson then converted for a 12-3 lead.
Southland began to increase their intensity after the Wells try, but were unable to continue their momentum due to a series of handling errors.
Ropati and Forbes were also making their presence felt as Counties Manukau attempted to stay in the game, but any hopes of a comeback were stifled when the impressive Kawau scored under the posts in the 62nd minute, which Robertson converted.
Wing Pehi Te Whare then secured the bonus-point fourth try as full-time neared, which Blair Stewart converted.
The score-line continued to mount for Southland, blowing Counties Manukau off their own scrum ball, with No.8 Hua Tamariki going over untouched, though Stewart was unable to convert.
Counties Manukau managed to score a consolation try on full-time through Viliame Fihaki.
Scorers:
For Southland:
Tries: Hall, Wells, Kawau, Te Whare, Tamariki
Cons: Robertson 2, Stewart
For Counties Manukau:
Try: Fihaki
Pen: Nanai-Williams
Teams:
Southland: 15 Mark Wells, 14 Matt Saunders, 13 Willie Rickards, 12 Kendrick Lynn, 11 Jason Kawau, 10 Robbie Robinson, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Hua Tamariki, 7 Tim Boys, 6 John Hardie, 5 Hoani Macdonald, 4 Daniel Ramsay, 3 Chris King, 2 David Hall, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Replacements: 16 Matt Holloway, 17 Fai Mika, 18 Josh Bekhuis, 19 Dion Bates, 20 Dane Shelford, 21
Blair Stewart, 22 Willie Rickards/Alesana Muliaina.
Counties Manukau: 15 Siale Piutau, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Romi Ropati, 12 Niva Ta'auso, 11 David Raikuna, 10 Tanner Vili, 9 Samisoni Fisilau, 8 Gary Saifoloi, 7 DJ Forbes, 6 Fritz Lee, 5 Andrew Van der Heijden (captain), 4 Jamie Chipman, 3 Jayden Murch, 2 Lance Po-Ching, 1 Simon Lemalu.
Replacements: 16 Rob Katu, 17 Eugene Beneke, 18 Rupeni Nasiga, 19 Viliame Fihaki, 20 Kevin Farrell, 21 Kane Hancy, 22 Tim Nanai-Williams.
Referee: Chris Pollock
TMO: Todd Pullar
