A horror first-half run with injuries couldn't stop Auckland from an impressive 25-20 win over Bay of Plenty in their Air NZ Cup rugby match in Rotorua tonight.
Down 3-13 at halftime, and missing wing Joe Rokocoko (hamstring), flanker Daniel Braid (ankle) and first five-eighth Lachie Munro (possibledislocated shoulder), Auckland looked down and out.
Yet despite all the injury disruptions - and with lock Stan Haukinima sinbinned after 32 minutes - Auckland still managed to battle back and take their fourth win in seven matches.
Yet it looked as though the Bay, with only one loss so far, would have little trouble in accounting for the out-of-sorts Aucklanders.
Up 7-0 after Mike Delany converted No 8 Colin Bourke's bullocking try barely nine minutes into the game, Bay of Plenty looked well in control as Delany slotted two penalties - including one 40m-plus monster - to seal the halftime lead.
Auckland hit back in the opening minutes of the second half in the best possible way, good field position and crisp passing culminating in a try to winger David Smith after three minutes.
Ben Atiga, taking over kicking duties after Munro's demise, couldn't convert from the sideline but the Aucklanders played with new heart at 8-13 down.
Ten minutes later, young prop Paea Fa'aunu powered over to level the scores at 13-13 after 52 minutes, only to see the Bay bounce back three minutes later as captain Tanerau Latimer crossed under the posts.
Delany converted to give the Bay a useful 20-13 lead, but the blue and whites dug deep and replacement flanker Ono'sai'i Auva'a dotted down with less than 20 minutes to go.
Atiga converted, and with the scores tied, the two teams settled down to grind out the closing stages until Auva'a, showing impressive speed, chased down a raking midfield kick to slide over for the decisive try.
Auckland 25 (David Smith, Paea Fa'anunu, Onosai'i Auva'a 2 tries; Lachlan Munro pen, Ben Atiga con) Bay of Plenty 20 (Colin Bourke, Tanerau Latimer tries; Mike Delany 2 con, 2 pen). Halftime: 3-13.
