Steamers grab first up win

Former Wallabies second-five Steve Kefu is impressed with the standard and pace of New Zealand provincial rugby after his ITM Cup debut for the Bay of Plenty Steamers in their scratchy 20-13 win over Counties-Manukau yesterday in Pukekohe.
The 31-year-old was solid for the Steamers in a scrappy match against a mistake-riddled Steelers side.
Kefu was subbed off late in the second half to give "some younger legs a run" but was pleased with his first hit out for his new team.
"It was awesome. I had three trial matches last week (and) they were great but it's always good to have a win in your first game in the competition.
"The pace and skill level as well, and the free-flowing nature of the game is totally different to playing in London, where it is stop-start.
"There are great players, but over here the talent that we have across the board is exceptional."
It was a rusty start for the Steamers with first-five Dan Waenga kicking the ball out on the full from the kick-off.
The Steamers, playing in the premiership division of the seven top-ranked sides from last year, scored two tries to one to subdue the Steelers of the championship division in the first crossover match of season.
Hooker Daniel Perrin and fullback Toby Arnold crossed in each half for the visitors while Niva Ta'auso scored Counties-Manukau's only try.
Bay of Plenty, who finished sixth last year, would have fancied their chances against their second-tier opponents but the Steelers, without the services of Tana Umaga this year due to an achilles injury, proved feisty foes.
They may not have had much of the ball in the opening half, but the home side, who were ninth last season, went to the break only 13-10 down after a late try right on the buzzer.
Steamers first-five Daniel Waenga and his Steelers opposite James Semple traded penalties before the Steamers crossed for the opening try after a rolling maul from a lineout five metres out from the hosts' line.
Perrin, who threw the ball into lineout, was driven over by his teammates and Waenga's conversion and another penalty gave the visitors a deserved 13-3 lead.
They had dominated proceedings and it came as something of a surprise when the hosts crossed for a converted try as the opening half drew to a close.
The impressive Semple slipped a ball to second-five Ta'auso and his angled run could not be stopped close to the line.
The home side saw more of the ball in the second half and Semple levelled matters with a penalty, but all their defensive resolve was called upon shortly after to halt another Steamers drive from a lineout.
Replacement halfback Taniela Moa helped give the Steamers back the lead when he ripped the ball from the clutches of Steelers fullback Ahsee Tuala and then threw a 20-metre pass to New Zealand sevens representative Toby Arnold who outstripped the defence for a try that was converted.
Moa, who came on for Jamie Nutbrown early in the second half, gave the visitors some impetus and with Waenga steering his side around the park and a lineout that repeatedly stole the Steelers' throws they had too much guile for their willing opponents.
Seven times Bay of Plenty pilfered ball from the Counties lineout, due mainly to the excellent work of jumper Culum Retallick.
Counties were only really kept in the game by the Steamers' poor discipline at the break down. The visitors were pinged nine times in the second half compared to Counties' three.
Steamers coach Sean Horan said the game was a typical season opener.
"We achieved a win and there were a lot of good things that we did. Probably the first 30 minutes we were clinical in what we wanted to achieve.
"The second half we weren't overly accurate with what we wanted to do, silly penalties cost us and we made life tough for ourselves."
Counties have no time to sulk. With the competition's contracted calendar, they face Manawatu in Pukekohe on Wednesday in a game they would have earmarked as a must-win.
Bay of Plenty rest up midweek before facing North Harbour at Mount Maunganui's Baypark on Saturday.