Rugby: Poor start to second half costs Taniwha against Auckland in Mitre 10 Cup

Rene Ranger runs away from Auckland wing Salesi Rayasi during the Mitre 10 Cup match won by the visitors 28-12. Photo / John Stone

Northland's decade-long winless hiatus over neighbours Auckland stretched further after the taniwha were humbled 12-28 in their first home game of the Mitre 10 Cup.

Much like the Wallabies at Eden Park on Saturday, Northland could not replicate in the second spell their gallant first-half effort in front of a strong crowd at Okara Park yesterday.

It didn't require a prescient seer to know that the three tries Auckland scored in the first 15 minutes after the breather swung the momentum in their favour.

Northland went pop, and Auckland went bang and therein lies the story of the past few seasons for the home side.

The visitors had too much presence and too much presence of mind in the second half.
Defence, lineout, rucks and mauls — Northland had pretty much all that covered and deserved to lead 12-7 at half time.

Auckland had their fair share of possession in that half, they were always going forward but the points wouldn't come the way they wanted.

The scoreboard was stubborn as were the taniwha. They wouldn't crack. They didn't give anything easy away and that was the best Northland and their supporters could hope for.

Rene Ranger played his best rugby in the first 40 minutes by not only bossing the left flank, he was a menace at the breakdown and forced a couple of turnovers at ruck.

Northland forwards and Josh Goodhue, Tom Robinson, Kara Pryor and Murray Douglas in particular cranked the handle at lineout and the tackle ball area to rattled the Auckland defence.

It was high-octane rugby and it wasn't long before players were seen with hand on hips and on knees, huffing and puffing.

Auckland drew first blood after Melani Nanai stripped the ball off a Northland player in a tackle and raced almost 50m but was brought down in an excellent chase by Northland halfback Sam Nock.

That effort came to nought as Nanai managed to offload to his first five Harry Plummer who scored.

But it didn't take Northland long to level scores.

A turnover by the hosts on their 22m line and Ranger burst free before offloading to Blake Hohaia for the finish.

Northland gained more confidence the more they forced Northland into mistakes.

Fullback Matt Wright fielded a high kick from Auckland before a brilliant interchange pass between Ranger and No 10 Jack Debreczeni yielded a try to the former All Black. That was all Northland could muster on the scoreboard.

Nanai struck just two minutes after the breather after again five minutes later before wing Salesi Rayasi bagged Auckland's third.

Northland had their moments but just couldn't nail the opportunities.

A good attacking platform was created with a lineout throw 5m away from the Auckland tryline.

The team opted to throw in in front of the lineout which perhaps isn't a good tactic because the opposition defence pushes the ball carrier closer to touch, limiting options for the attacking team.

Auckland's line speed in defence in the second half troubled Northland and the home side didn't have the accuracy they had in the opening stanza.

Northland's worst was excruciating to watch but at their best, they did make fools of Auckland but just not enough to win.

The taniwha host Taranaki at the same time this Sunday.