Auks spring back to life against Harbour
Sat, 27 Sep 2008 09:59
Auckland overcame the disappointment of losing the Ranfurly Shield to Wellington last week in the best way possible when they defeated North Harbour 29-22 in an Air New Zealand Cup match in Albany on Saturday.
The win has breathed new life into Auckland's push for a play-off spot, which seemed to be fading away after the Lions embarrassed the Auks at Eden Park.
Only 5700 fans could be bothered to turn up for the match at North Harbour Stadium in Albany, but the players were well and truly up for it, especially for the Blues, were future starting berths were up for grabs.
Auckland dominated most phases of the game and with just under 20 minutes left they led by 29-3 and were cruising to victory. But some unforced errors and some sparkle finally from Harbour, saw the home side storm back into the game with two converted tries in the space of a few minutes.
It got even tighter when Harbour scored again with six minutes left, to close
the game up to 29-22, but Auckland held on for the crucial win with quarterfinals spots still undecided.
Auckland got off to the best possible start, capitalising on a terrible blunder by Viliame Waquasaduadua, with Dean Budd finishing off the try after flank Onosa'i Auva'a showed his predatory skills.
Taniela Moa was nearly in after 11 minutes, but dropped a difficult pass with the line open, as Auckland looked far more assured in the early stages.
Big Jay Williams made a spectacular surge up the middle of the park, that nearly led to Auckland's second try after 25 minutes, before Jimmy Gopperth kicked a massive penalty goal from 50 metres with the wind behind him to close the gap to four points.
Auckland were in again with seven minutes left in the half, when David Smith scored in the left corner following some patient phase play, and a sharp break from the impressive blindside flank Dean Budd. Ben Atiga slotted the goal
superbly into the swirling breeze, and right on half-time he kicked a fine penalty from nearly 50 metres for a handy 17-3 lead.
Auckland head coach Shane Howarth looked contented at the break and he was even happier a few minutes into the second spell when Taniela Moa scored a simple try after a scintillating break from David Smith. It was Moa's last act of the game though, as his problem ankle played up again, giving New Zealand Under-20 player Grayson Hart some game time.
Tavita Mailau made it an unusual double against North Harbour in 2008 when he replaced Nick White, after playing last week against Harbour on loan for Northland.
Auckland's lead was stretched to 27-3 after 54 minutes when lock Stanley Haukinima strolled across for an easy try. Isaia Toeava slotted the goal with aplomb from near the touchline.
Josh York scored for North Harbour to finally give the home fans something to cheer about to close the gap to 29-10,
and Harbour were in again through Ray Alo with 16 minutes left after the touch judge made a comical error. Gopperth converted from the sideline and at 29-17 it was game well and truly on.
Harbour's replacement wing Jona Tuitoga crossed in the corner with six minutes left and after television match official Steve Walsh spent an age checking the replays, the try was finally awarded. Gopperth missed the conversion.
Auckland were ahead by just 29-22, but they did enough to hang on and take the four points. Their home tie against Northland next week will now decide their quarterfinal entry.
Scorers:
For North Harbour:
Tries: York, Alo, Tuitoga
Cons: Gopperth 2
Pen: Gopperth
For Auckland:
Tries: Auva'a, Budd, Moa, Haukinima
Cons: Atiga 2, Toeava
Pen:
Atiga
Teams:
North Harbour: 15 Jack McPhee, 14 Viliame Waqaseduadua, 13 Nafi Tuitavake, 12 Ray Alo, 11 Josh York, 10 Jimmy Gopperth (captain), 9 Chris Smylie, 8 Viliame Maafu, 7 Malakai Ravulo, 6 Chris Smith, 5 Bernie Upton, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 Michael Reid, 2 James Hinchco, 1 James Afoa.
Replacements: 16 James Parsons, 17 Sam Biddles, 18 Martin Purdy, 19 Robbie Colhoun, 20 Matt France, 21 Jon Elrick, 22 Jona Tuitoga.
Auckland: 15 Jamie Helleur, 14 Watisoni Lotawa, 13 Ben Atiga (captain), 12 Benson Stanley, 11 David Smith, 10 Isaia Toeava, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Onosa'i Auva'a, 6 Dean Budd, 5 Jay Williams, 4 Stan Haukinima, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Nick White.
Replacements: 16 Pauliasi Manu, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Anthony Elisala, 19 Chris Lowrey, 20 Grayson Hart, 21 Winston Stanley, 22 Simon Munro.
Referee:
Jonathon White
TMO: Keith Brown
With thanks to aucklandrugby.co.nz
