ITM Cup: Turbos cruise to win over Taniwha

Shabby defence and ill-discipline summed up Northland Taniwha's tepid display at home against an under-fire Manawatu side tonight (Wednesday).

It took the hosts 73 minutes to cross over for its first try to loose forward Dan Faleafa before co-captain Rene Ranger broke three tackles and scored the second on fulltime.

The Turbos won 33-20 with a four-try bonus point in front of about 5000 spectators.

To add to their woes, captain Bryce Williams was sin-binned mid-way in the second half for punching and prop Justin Davies was also given his marching orders for a high tackle.

Sevens star Tomasi Cama and fellow Fijian Asaeli Tikoirotuma proved a handful for Manawatu while stout defence by their forwards, ably led by skipper Nick Crosswell, often left Taniwha players back-peddling.

Manawatu drew first blood through a penalty to Craig Clare in the 29th minute after Northland was penalised by referre Garratt Williamson for a lineout infringement.

Three minutes later, Northland first five-eights Ash Moeke levelled the scores with a penalty from 50 metres out before Manawatu prop Grant Paulson barged through under the posts for the first try.

The Turbos opted for territory and forced turnovers, and also made good use of their left flank, patrolled by the ever-hungry Tikoirotuma.

It was a disjointed first quarter for Northland and the malaise continued for most of the game until the last 10 minutes but it was too little, too late.

Tries to Manawatu outside centre Jason Emery and unmarked wing Craig Clare on the stroke of half-time after the latter gathered a chipkick from Cama pushed the scores to 22-6.

Openside flanker Dan Pryor toiled hard throughout the match and his best chance came in the first quarter of the second half when he took advantage of a huge gap down the middle channel.

However, Faleafa got penalised for holding on to the ball from an ensuing ruck in front of the Manawatu posts.

The Taniwha will play North Harbour at Toll Stadium on Sunday.