Rusty Steelers mauled by Magpies
Sun, 14 Sep 2008 10:53
Hawke's Bay continued their march toward the Air New Zealand Cup play-offs with an emphatic 45-14 victory over struggling Counties Manukau in Pukekohe on Sunday.
It was a fast-paced game at Growers Stadium and the crowd was duly entertained, even though the home team ended up on the wrong end of the scoring ledger.
The visitors found themselves 7-0 up after seven minutes. From a line-out close to the Steelers line the Magpies worked a smart blindside move, resulting in a try to Hikawera Elliot after the rampaging hooker barged over the line.
Centre Sam Giddens added the touchline conversion to give Hawke's Bay the perfect start.
From the restart, the Steelers went on the attack but unfortunately several positive moves went unrewarded due to errant handling.
Not so for Hawke's Bay though, who managed to make their second visit to the Steelers' 22 pay when they manufactured a simple try off the back of a scrum. The ball was simply spread wide until fullback Israel Dagg found a hole in the Steelers defence to score.
The visitors' third try soon followed when scrumhalf Chris Eaton darted from the base of a ruck 40 meters from the line. The Steelers defence bought Eaton's dummy and he raced to the line without a hand laid on him. Giddens third conversion of the half made the score 21-0 after as many minutes, and the Steelers were staring down the barrel.
The point-a-minute theme continued when Dagg crossed for his second try soon after, in what was almost an action replay of his earlier score.
It was 30 minutes into the game and the Steelers had had enough. After two very good bursts by the backs the forwards swung into action. A ruck close to the line and hooker Lance Po-ching, with the help of his fellow front row forwards, crossed for the Steelers' first try of the game.
The Steelers were boosted by that score, and suddenly they looked more assured on attack.
The Counties backs then capitalised on a turnover and spread the ball wide, and after a succession of well-timed passes the ball eventually reached the hands of Samoa prop Simon Lemalu, who showed great speed to reach the line.
That cut the home side's deficit to 14-28 at half-time.
Early in the second half, the Steelers defence also looked healthier. Two scoring chances for Hawke's Bay were repelled by a combination of good individual tackling and the Steelers sticking to their defensive systems.
The only addition to the scoreboard in the first 20 minutes of the second half was an Israel Dagg penalty which came when Dean Cummins was unfairly adjudged to have performed a dangerous tackle on Zac Guilford.
Magpies wing Jason Kupa then crossed for the first try of the second half in the 65th minute when he simply outpaced the Steelers cover defence.
From there the match became a succession of sweeping moves with both sides having ample opportunity to score. But it was only the Magpies who succeeded with Dagg completing his hat-trick after yet another penetrative run from the fullback.
After the game Steelers coach Greg Aldous said he was impressed with the way the side dug deep after a poor start to the game.
"We certainly put ourselves under pressure early and that definitely made things difficult," said Aldous.
"We just have to work harder to improve our option taking. With another home game next week I know the boys will be determined to improve on today's game."
Scorers:
For Counties Manukau:
Tries: Po-ching, Lemalu
Cons: Cummins 2
For Hawke's Bay:
Tries: Elliot, Dagg 3, Eaton, Kupa
Cons: Giddens 4, Dagg 2
Pen: Dagg
Teams:
Counties Manukau: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13
Niva Ta'auso, 12 Dean Cummins, 11 Siale Piutau, 10 Tasesa Lavea (captain), 9 Samisoni Fisilau, 8 Fritz Lee, 7 DJ Forbes, 6 Rupeni Nasiga, 5 Andrew Van der Heijden, 4 Jamie Chipman, 3 Tuaefe Palelei, 2 Lance Po-ching, 1 Simon Lemalu.
Replacements: 16 Ilaisa Maasi, 17 Jayden Murch, 18 Viliami Fihaki, 19 Gary Saifoloi, 20 Kevin Farrell, 21 Sherwin Stowers, 22 Romi Ropati.
Hawke's Bay: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Jason Kupa, 13 Jason Shoemark, 12 Sam Giddens, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Daniel Waenga, 9 Chris Eaton, 8 George Naoupu, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Michael Johnson (captain), 5 Bryn Evans, 4 Matt Egan, 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Hikawera Elliot, 1 Faka'anaua Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Josh Keys, 18 Johan Snyman, 19 Adam Bradey, 20 Kilifi Fangupo, 21 Aayden Clarke, 22 Mark Jackman.
Referee: Matt Stanish
Television match official: Steve Walsh
With thanks to steelers.co.nz
