Rugby: Counties consign Tasman to second

Counties coach Tana Umaga. Photo / Paul Taylor.

Tasman will come up against Canterbury semifinals of the ITM Cup Premiership after being upset by Counties-Manukau to round out the regular season.

The Makos needed two points to take top spot in the top tier but Counties mounted a furious resistance in the final minutes to win 21-16 and hand Taranaki home advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Steelers had nothing but pride to play for, after Auckland's victory shut them out of the playoff picture, but they could certainly be proud of their efforts at Lansdowne Park.

Having dominated large patches of the game but unable to separate themselves from their hosts, Counties looked like they would walk away unlucky losers when Tasman spent the final few minutes camped on the line. But, for phase after phase, the Steelers defence held firm, repelling an attack that had several chances to reset through repeated penalties.

Tasman's punishment for failing to break through comes in the form of a semifinal encounter with their big brother. Tasman will take confidence into the clash after crushing Canterbury a week ago in Christchurch but the Makos will know their Super Rugby franchise partners are a different proposition come finals time.

Tasman will certainly need to improve on today's performance if they wish to advance to the showpiece game in provincial rugby. It was all one-way traffic in the first half, even if Tasman somehow headed to the break three points to the good.

Counties spent much of the first 20 minutes on attack but emerged with nothing to show for the supremacy, falling behind on the scoreboard through three Rohan Saifoloi penalties.

Pauliasi Manu finally gave the Steelers just reward for their pressure but, having enjoyed almost three quarters of possession, the visitors headed to the sheds down 9-7.

Tasman finally sparked to life in the second spell, with Robbie Malneek scoring a spectacular solo try, but Counties were still the better side and hit the front through Sam Henwood and Jordan Taufua.

That left the game to be decided on a goal-line stand and left Tasman with a tricky match-up next weekend.

spending 13 minutes in the opposition 22 compared to Tasman's one minute.
Tasman 16 (Malneek try; Saifoloi 3 pens, Banks con)

Counties-Manukau 21 (Manu, Stanley, Taufua tries; Tuala con, Stanley 2 cons)
HT: 9-7