Rugby: Hot Steamers fire on all cylinders

Steamers prop Pingi Tala'apitaga takes the ball into contact in the win over Counties Manukau yesterday. Photo / Richard Spranger Photography

Bay of Plenty Steamers produced easily their best performance of the 2015 season in defeating Premiership side Counties Manukau Steelers 37-26 in breezy conditions at ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe, yesterday.

You have to go back to the first half against Auckland in Rotorua last September to see such a comprehensive display from the Steamers. They are comfortably in third place in the Championship, one point adrift of second-placed Wellington behind leaders Hawke's Bay, and six points ahead of fourth-placed Southland.

Counties Manukau were TAB hot favourites, paying $1.25 to the Steamers' $3.70, which proved to be as inaccurate as the Steelers in the first half. They missed eight tackles and coughed up nine turnovers in the opening 15 minutes, which gave the rampant Steamers all the momentum they needed to take control and claim a four-try bonus point by halftime.

Halfback Te Aihe Toma and dynamic centre Tino Nemani sparked the early charges. Nemani set up the opening try for fullback Chase Tiatia to score his third try of the season.

Flanker Shahn Eru then crashed over for his first ITM Cup try. The 14-0 lead was reduced immediately from the kick-off with a runaway try by Sione Fifita against the run of play. Counties Manukau did lift in intensity but some staunch Steamers defence held them out.

The Steamers set piece was solid, with Culum Retallick in his 87th game winning the first six lineouts thrown by Nathan Harris.

Winger Elijah Nicolas, promoted into the team from the Bay Development side, made a great break to slice open the Steelers and Toma dived over for try number three after 27 minutes.

The Steamers scored their bonus-point try two minutes later when top-class first five Dan Hollinshead slotted a clever grubber kick into the in-goal for temporary replacement Te Rangi Fraser to touch down. Hollinshead kicked penalties before and after halftime for a massive 30-5 match-winning lead.

Steamers lock Johan Bardoul was sin-binned after 48 minutes and Counties-Manukau scored through Richard Judd to breathe some life into the contest.

Steamers winger Whaimotu Craft-Chemis showed some excellent skills to score his team's fifth try with a fine individual effort, before Counties Manukau scored two late tries to gain a bonus point.

But this game was over at halftime, with the Steamers good value for the win. They take on defending ITM Cup champions Taranaki in Rotorua this Saturday from 5.35pm.

Bay of Plenty 37 (Chase Tiatia, Shahn Eru, Te Aihe Toma, Te Rangi Fraser, Whaimotu Craft-Chemis tries; Dan Hollinshead 3 cons, 2 pen)

Counties Manukau 26 (Richard Judd 2, Sione Fifita, Sikeli Nabou tries; Jared Page 3 cons) Halftime 27-5.