Rugby: Harbour upset Steelers

Tevita Li attempts to bust through two tacklers in North Harbour's win over Counties. Photo / Getty

North Harbour 28
Counties Manukau 20

North Harbour ground out a vital and ultimately merited upset 28-20 victory at home and consigned the Counties Manukau Steelers to their third defeat by Championship sides in 2015.

Second half tries to hooker James Parsons and second five Michael Little gave North Harbour hope for the rest of their season, though it would be a stretch to say it has reignited their campaign.

Some of their play was too sloppy, but they came up with the plays that mattered in the second half along with some gritty defence, while the Steelers made too many mistakes. Little dived over after a lineout drive to seal it with five minutes to play.

The less said about the first spell, the better. There was a lot of dross, unforced errors, dropped passes and turnovers. This despite the sunny conditions and a stiff wind. Kicks went too far - Steelers No 9 Richard Judd's box kicks from the base of the ruck were at fault - and North Harbour's exit strategy execution was lamentable from the boot of Matt McGahan.

But the fullback did make up for it, in his blazer game, with a try after Tevita Li had broken down the left flank off a turnover, and then set up Parsons for his score. There was a lot of latitude allowed at the offside line by Australian whistler Will Houston.

That there was only a try apiece at the break would have been entirely appropriate were it not for an unfathomable decision by TMO Glenn Newman when Steelers No 8 Jordan Taufua appeared to clearly ground the ball at the siren. He was ruled to have been held up by the tackler when in fact he grounded the ball on the first bounce. Earlier, Sam Henwood, the industrious openside, ploughed over for the Steelers' first try.

For the Steelers, prop Pauliasi Manu galloped around, perhaps trying to prove that he is the next best loosehead in the land, while Cardiff Vaega threatened at centre and occasionally faced down his little brother Matt, who wore the North Harbour No 13 jersey, one of 23 multi-coloured 'club day' guernseys. North Harbour's best were young No 8 Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a, whose carries did not always attract timely support, second five Michael Little and explosive wing Li.

North Harbour travel to Nelson to play the high-flying Tasman Makos on Wednesday night, while Counties Manukau are at Northland next Saturday night.

North Harbour 28 (M. McGahan, J. Parsons, M. Little tries; D. Halangahu 2 con, 3 pen)
Counties Manukau 20 (S. Henwood try, penalty try; P. Francis 2 con, 2 pen)
Halftime: 7-13