News

Counties settle for a draw

September 26 2008

Taranaki pivot Willie Ripia landed a sideline conversion to save his side from defeat against a spirited Counties Manukau outfit who leave New Plymouth with just two points after drawing 13-13 with their hosts on Friday.

The home side denied the Steelers a deserved victory when Taranaki full-back Ace Malohe tumbled and spun his way to dot down in the corner after the hooter had gone to take the score to 11-13.

Ripia never looked like missing and the end result now sees the Amber and Blacks facing a must-win clash with Waikato next weekend to stand any chance of reaching the last eight.

Taranaki looked nothing like the side who had beaten Otago 31-27 in the previous round which had put them sixth in the standings.

They were the architects of their own troubles, dropping the ball at crucial times, twice when they had the line at their mercy after they had taken an early 3-0 lead to a penalty by Ripia.

Counties Manukau, searching for just their third win of the season after beating Manawatu last week, fed off the crumbs they got to take a 10-3 lead at half-time through a penalty to Dean Cummins and a try crafted by fly-half Tasesa Lavea for number eight Fritz Lee.

Cummins added his second penalty goal after 56 minutes to extend the lead to 13-6 following another succesful Ripia attempt between the sticks.

That goal seemed to lift Taranaki to great heights and it spent the next five points hammering the Counties Manukau line but couldn't find an opening with centre Siale Piutau making some solid tackles.

Jayden Hayward got close after 66 minutes when brushing the sideline when going over in the corner, but the television match official ruled he was out first, and there was some doubt whether he had retained control of the ball in the grounding.

A minute later, Taranaki winger Paul Perez had an opportunity to score in the same corner but was out in replacement full-back Tanner Vili's cover tackle.

It seemed Counties Manukau had done enough but then up popped Malo to make amends for dropping a pass earlier with a try begging to be scored.

The scorers:

For Taranaki:

Try: Malo

Con: Ripia

Pen: Ripia 2

Counties Manukau:

Try: Lee

Con: Cummins

Pen: Cummins 2

Taranaki: 15 Asalemo Malo, 14 Paul Perez, 13 Nathan Hohaia, 12 Jayden Hayward, 11 Shayne Austin, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Brett Goodin; 8 Taiasina Tuifua, 7 Scott Waldrom, 6 Chris Walker, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Hamish Mitchell, 2 Laurence Corlett, 1 Tony Penn (c).

Replacements: 16 James Annabell, 17 Shane Cleaver, 18 Leon Power, 19 Nemia Soqeta, 20 Brendan Haami, 21 Isaia Tuifua, 22 Jack Cameron.

Counties Manukau: 15 Koiatu Koiatu, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Dean Cummins, 11 Sherwin Stowers, 10 Tasesa Lavea (c), 9 Kevin Farrell, 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 Kojak Faioso, 18 Gary Saifoloi, 19 Mark Selwyn, 20 Samisoni Fisilau, 21 Jason Roache, 22 Tanner Vili.

Referee: Keith Brown

TMO: Brent Murray