Evans takes over to seal Otago win

Jonah Lomu may be poised for another comeback in club rugby today, but on the evidence of last night's provincial premiership practice match at Albany Stadium, North Harbour will not be lacking for wings this season.

Otago, with a dazzling second-spell performance inspired by the return from injury of All Black first five-eighths Nick Evans, thrashed Harbour 38-17, which was a poor return for the first-spell effort of twinkletoed left wing Viliame Waqaseduadua.

Waqaseduadua taunted the Otago defences for much of the first spell, beating his hapless marker Greg Zampach easily many times.

He scored the match's first try after 21 minutes and then 13 minutes later added another. Besides the skill and pace of Waqaseduadua, the main wonder of the first spell was how Harbour, given a huge advantage especially in scrums and enjoying a big territorial and possession advantage, led by only 12-7 at halftime.

First five-eighths Tusi Pisi had a below par night as a goalkicker, and right on the break, against the run of player, Otago's captain Craig Newby collected a chargedown and scampered 25m against his old Harbour teammates.

An early second-spell try by Anthony Tuitavake suggested a Harbour rout, but the arrival of Evans signalled a remarkable change in fortunes as Otago took charge to run in five tries, one by Evans and two to threequarter Ben Smith.

So it was not a great Air New Zealand Cup rehearsal for Harbour. Otago, though, with Evans calling the shots, have reason to look forward to the competition eagerly.

* Counties Manukau continued their good pre-season form with their third win from three games, beating Bay of Plenty 25-20 at Mt Smart Stadium.

The home side started well with Poaloi Taula scoring the first try after seven minutes and wing Leila Masaga touching down 20 minutes later.

Charles Baxter then replied for the Bay after some weak defence. Both sides could be relatively happy with the 17-13 result in favour of the home team at half- time.

Bay of Plenty started the second spell strongly but it was Counties Manukau who strung together some powerful forward charges from No 8 Waka Setitaia and front-rowers Sekope Kepu and Simon Lemalu.

The final try came after some consolidated pressure by Counties with a crossfield kick taken by reserve back Lance Easton for an easy try.

For the Bay, Murray Williams kicked two conversions and two penalties.