Rugby: Counties Manukau show their steel

Canterbury prop Nepo Laulala charges forward during their match against Counties Manukau at Pukekohe. Photo / Getty Images

Canterbury 28
Counties Manukau 20

The drought continues.

The majority of rugby people would have been shocked if the Steelers had won their first match over Canterbury since Joeli Vidiri's heyday in 1998, but the visitors to Pukekohe did enough to go 6-0 for the season in their 28-20 win.

Canterbury will be unhappy at not securing the bonus point, but that was partly due to some staunch Steelers' resistance. They made a stirring second half comeback, where the passes started to stick. However, lock Sikeli Nabou, who was held up over the line once, was then binned for a punch and they lost the momentum.

It might have been different if centre Rey Lee-Lo had been awarded a try but the TMO ruled inconclusive on whether he had exerted enough control.

Canterbury knew the home side would come out with plenty of huff and puff, but they are expert at absorbing early heat. It didn't help Counties Manukau that they converted just two of six first half penalty goal attempts, and tried a couple of injudicious grubber kicks when longer tactical kicking was required.

But they rectified some of their issues early in the second stanza with some relentless play which yielded a try to Willi Heinz from a simple 8-9 scrum move. Steelers wing Frank Halai tried hard and ran with some meaning, scoring a try off a Toni Pulu bust, and another from long-range.

The Steelers next host Wellington next Saturday, while Canterbury are at North Harbour on Wednesday night.

Canterbury 28 (Matt Todd, Johnny McNicholl, Willi Heinz tries; Tom Taylor 2 con, 3 pen)

Counties Manukau 20 (Frank Halai 2 tries; Sherwin Stowers con, Michael Stanley con; Tim Nanai-Williams pen, Ahsee Tuala pen). HT: 20-6