News
Steelers steal Auckland's thunder
August 03 2008
Counties Manukau beat neighbours and defending champions Auckland 17-6 in what was another shock result in the opening round of the Air New Zealand Cup on Sunday.
The pillars of New Zealand domestic rugby were rocked over the weekend as minnows Counties joined Manawatu and Northland for unlikely wins.
Northland began the trend with an 18-10 win over Waikato on Thursday, and
Manawatu returned to Palmerston North as conquering heroes after ending a 26-year drought against Canterbury with a 25-24 win in Christchurch.
The grand old ground of Growers Stadium hasn't seen a first division game since 2000, but the local faithful turned out en masse and were treated to a gutsy display as the country boys downed their city cousins by holding them tryless.
The opening stanza of the match saw the Steelers dominate territory, possession and the battle at scrum time.
Unfortunately for Counties Manukau, this early dominance was not converted into points when a couple of try-scoring chances went astray. Fly-half Dean Cummins' two missed penalty attempts in the opening 15 minutes of the match didn't help much either.
It was a shame because the home side deserved some reward for their toil.
When Auckland opened the scoring after 30 minutes with a Lachie Munro penalty, the need for the Steelers to make the most of their opportunities became more apparent.
3-0 to Auckland at half-time and the visitors doubled their lead eight minutes into the second half when Munro kicked his second penalty of the match after Counties Manukau were judged off-side.
The Steelers were again caught offside seven minutes later but Munro's kick was wide of the posts. After 58 minutes of rugby, Counties Manukau finally got on the scoresheet.
After a great kick and chase down the left flank by Siale Piutau, the Steelers got numbers to the ruck and from a free-kick, the ball was spread wide into the arms of Niva Ta'auso who barged over the line.
Cummins' conversion made it 7-0, then came a moment of brilliance from replacement full-back Tanner Vili.
After more sustained pressure from Counties Manukau looked to be going unrewarded, Vili landed a drop-goal from 45 meters out.
It was a superb kick and one that bought the huge crowed of Steelers fans to their feet.
Vili repeated his heroics five minutes later when again Counties Manukau worked their way into the Auckland 22. A stolen line-out from the Steelers pack that had dominated all day saw the forward drive for the line. At the appropriate moment, Vili received a well-timed pass and muscled over the chalkdust.
Tim Nanai-Williams added the extras, and from there on in, the game was won.
Counties Manukau coach, Greg Aldous, said it was a fantastic effort from his side.
"The boys were great. Even when we were down at half-time there was enough self-belief in the boys," said Aldous.
"They knew they had dominance up front and just had to convert that into points. "It was a great day for the team and the fans, who were also fantastic."
The scorers:
For Counties Manukau:
Tries: Ta'auso, Vili
Cons: Cummins, Nanai-Williams
Drop goal: Vili
For Auckland:
Pens: Munro 2
Counties Manukau: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Niva Ta'auso, 12 Romi Ropati, 11 Siale Piutau, 10 Dean Cummins, 9 Kevin Farrell, 8 Fritz Lee, 7 DJ Forbes, 6 Gary Saifoloi/Viliami Fihaki, 5 Andrew Van der Heijden, 4 Dave Duley (c), 3 Jayden Murch, 2 Lance Po-ching, 1 Simon Lemalu.
Replacements: 16 Cody Martin, 17 Eugene Beneke, 18 Jamie Chipman, 19 Gary Saifoloi/Viliami Fihaki, 20 Samisoni Fisilau, 21 Tanner Vili, 22 David Raikuna.
Auckland: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Jarek Goebel, 13 Winston Stanley, 12 Ben Atiga (c), 11 David Smith, 10 Lachie Munro, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Chris Lowrey, 7 Onosa'i Auva'a, 6 Kurtis Haiu, 5 Jay Williams, 4 Stanley Haukinima, 3 Nick White, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Paea Fa'anunu.
Replacements: 16 Pauliasi Manu,17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Dean Budd, 20 Daniel Braid, 21 Grayson Hart, 22 Mapa Tuipulotu
Referee: Bryce Lawrence
TMO: Ben Skeen