News

Tasman shrug off their woes

August 17 2008

Tasman forgot about their impending permanent exit from the Air New Zealand Cup next season to deliver a rousing performance in beating Taranaki 33-23 in Nelson on Sunday.

The tenuous Nelson-Marlborough amalgam was one of the two teams removed from next year's competition early last week, and it proved to be motivational indeed, as they fought back from 20-10 down to claim their win.

Taranaki led 13-10 at half-time in a game puntuated by handling errors and two tries, with fly-half Willie Ripia's kicking the difference between the teams.

Ripia converted the opening try of the game, scored by full-back Asalemo Malo who gathered in a kick ahead from lock Jason Eaton - of all people - near the left-hand touchline and dotted down after six minutes.

Tasman replied with their try after 18 minutes, when blind side winger Steve Sasagi came over to the open side and stepped off his right foot to score.

Ripia added two penalties, while Tasman fly-half Miah Nikora converted Sasagi's score and added a penalty of his own.

Taranaki landed what could have been a killer blow at the start of the second half, with wing Shayne Austin intercepting a hopeful wide pass and haring off downfield for a try under the sticks and Ripia making it 20-10 with the extras.

But two penalties by Nikora brought the home team back to 16-20 adrift, and Taranaki hooker James Annabell was yellow-carded for persistent infringements as Tasman turned the screw.

Nikora landed another penalty when 'Naki number eight Taiasina Tuifua was also yellow-carded for a high tackle, but even with two men up, Tasman could not find the score that would have given them the lead.

But finally with 12 minutes to go, Joel Iggo timed a perfect pass for full-back Robbie Malneek to go through and score, with Nikora converting.

Ripia made it 26-23 with another penalty, but Iggo scored from the final play of the game, sending the visitors home without even a bonus point.

The scorers:

For Tasman:

Tries: Sasagi, Malneek, Iggo

Cons: Nikora 3

Pens: Nikora 4

For Taranaki:

Tries: Malo, Austin

Cons: Ripia 2

Pens: Ripia 3

Tasman: 15 Robbie Malneek, 14 Blair Cook, 13 Andrew Goodman (c), 12 Joel Iggo, 11 Steve Sasagi, 10 Miah Nikora, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Brent Bright, 7 Jonathan Poff, 6 Glen Gregory, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Will Crutchley, 3 Ben May, 2 Daniel Perrin, 1 Ben Franks,

Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Tristan Moran, 18 Steve Jackson, 19 Dan Hyatt, 20 Lualua Vailoaloa, 21 Mike Pehi, 22 James Foote.

Taranaki: 15 Asalemo Malo, 14 Paul Perez, 13 Nathan Hohaia, 12 Jonathan Spratt, 11 Shayne Austin, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Brett Goodin, 8 Taiasina Tuifua, 7 Scott Waldrom, 6 Alex Tulou, 5 Craig Clarke, 4 Jason Eaton, 3 Shane Cleaver, 2 James Annabell, 1 Tony Penn (c).

Replacements: 16 Carl Carmichael, 17 Hamish Mitchell, 18 Leon Power, 19 Nemia Soqeta, 20 Brendan Haami, 21 Corey Niwa, 22 Jack Cameron.

Referee: Garratt Williamson

TMO: Kane McBride