Rugby: Auckland hold on to topple Tasman

Charles Piutau hauled in by Marty Banks during Auckland's win over Tasman. Photo / Getty

Tasman 19
Auckland 28

Tasman may still be sitting top of the ITM Cup standings but they now have a couple of big boys breathing down the necks as the competition nears its climax.

Auckland today handed the Premiership leaders their first loss of the season, displaying incredible defensive strength to shut down a dangerous attack and hang onto a deserved lead.

With three rounds remaining before the playoffs, Tasman sit two points in front of Canterbury with Auckland a further point back. While the Makos will have designs on keeping the ITM Cup trophy in the provinces, having lost to Taranaki in last year's finals, the traditional heavyweights both appear in ominous form.

Today's work in Blenheim represented Auckland's best performance of the season and, after winning only one of their first three matches, Paul Feeney's men have strung together four wins on the trot.

They were made to work extremely hard for the latest of those victories, establishing a 20-6 halftime lead before defending for all they were worth after the break.

A brutal breeze at Lansdowne Park saw the teams take turns at setting up camp in the opposition 22, with Tasman's second-half dominance of possession and field position only matched by Auckland's level of control in the opening spell.

The difference in the match was the effectiveness of Auckland's attack when enjoying ball in hand, probing well around the fringes through a powerful forward pack that set the tone for their triumph.

It was appropriate for Joe Edwards to grab his side's first try - just rewards for an outstanding loose forward trio led superbly by Akira Ioane - with Tasman's defence missing too many first-up tackles to halt Auckland's charge.

The 10-point lead the visitors established in the opening quarter was the largest deficit the home side had faced all season and, being forced to survive with only a third of possession, their task grew in difficulty with George Moala's timely try on the stroke of halftime.

Auckland's eventual match-winner came courtesy of Vince Aso's pace early in the second spell, establishing a lead that Tasman, try as they might, could not quite overcome.

Tasman 19 (Wheeler try; Banks 4 pens, con)
Auckland 28 (Edwards, Moala, Aso tries; Hickey 2 pens, 2 cons, Hunt pen)
HT: 6-20