News

Auckland hold off North Harbour

September 27 2008

Auckland responded to their Ranfurly Shield handover with a narrow 29-22 victory over North Harbour in Albany on Saturday.

Just seven days after losing the Log 'o Wood to Wellington, the Air New Zealand Cup holders hit back to keep their play-off hopes alive despite a late revival from their hosts.

That attempted comeback was even more impressive as North Harbour were 3-29 down with a quarter to go, which set up a grandstand finish.

The contest's first try came through a nightmare mistake from Viliame Waqaseduadua deep inside his own 22.

The home wing was covering a kick from Auckland centre Ben Atiga, when he opted against a clearance and instead threw a pass to opposing flank Onasai'i Auva'a that led to a Dean Budd try.

However, Jimmy Gopperth responded on 27 minutes with an thumping penalty from distance before Auckland added their second score.

The visitors countered from deep with Budd involved again before fly-half Isaia Toeava sent a wide ball out to try recipient David Smith - converted by Atiga on the touchline.

North Harbour may pinpoint mistakes as their stumbling block post game while on the other side of the scale, Auckland clinical took their chances when on offer.

From the second-half whistle the visitors got into their stride when scrum-half Taniela Moa broke a tackle to score their third after good work from his pack.

And when lock Stan Haukinima scored Auckland's bonus-point try the game looked to be over at North Harbour Stadium.

However, the hosts finally found their form with their forwards hard work leading to wing Josh York crossing before Nafi Tuitavake also added five more in the corner soon after.

Gopperth's conversion brought the scores back to 17-29 down as the hosts sniffed their own bonus point.

And they got their request as replacement wing Jona Tuitoga's spill backwards over the whitewash saw full-back Jack McPhee ground after lengthy TMO consultation.

The scorers:

For North Harbour:

Tries: York, Tuitavake, McPhee

Con: Gopperth 2

Pen: Gopperth

For Auckland:

Tries: Budd, Smith, Moa, Haukinima

Con: Atiga 2, Toeava

Pen: Atiga

North Harbour: 15 Jack McPhee, 14 Viliame Waqaseduadua , 13 Nafi Tuitavake/Rudi Wulf/Hayden Abercrombie, 12 Ray Alo, 11 Josh York/Rudi Wulf, 10 Jimmy Gopperth (c), 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 Josh York/Jon Elrick, 22 Jona Tuitoga/Tom Chamberlain.

Auckland: 15 Jamie Helleur, 14 Watisoni Lotawa, 13 Ben Atiga (c), 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: Chris Pollock

TMO: Steve Walsh