Rugby: Makos beat Taniwha in Nelson

Ben Franks of Tasman. Photo / Getty Images

Tasman continued their role as late season spoilers to upset ITM Cup rivals Northland 34-29 at Nelson tonight.

Having tipped over Bay of Plenty in a high-scoring thriller last weekend, Tasman scored five tries to five in registering just their fourth win of the season after a rousing third quarter.

Behind 8-19 at the interval, Tasman put on 19 unanswered points in as many minutes after the resumption with the sort of form which belied their lowly 12th placing in the standings at the start of the 12th round.

Tasman's comeback was sparked by a controversial touchdown to wing Blair Cook, who was awarded a try by the television match official early in the second spell despite replays indicating he had lost control of the ball over the line in the tackle of Northland halfback Rhyan Caine.

Minutes later Tasman snuck in front on the back of a fine individual try to wing Kade Poki, who sliced through a hole then stepped the last defender en route to the line.

Having built some momentum, they built on that when the forwards constructed a try to prop Fai Mika after a dominant scrum led to a concerted drive which Northland were powerless to stop.

Fullback Lachie Munro cut the deficit for Northland with a penalty in the 65th minute but Tasman again displayed their confidence when a break from fullback Tom Marshall was completed by No 8 Poutasi Luafutu who was not to be denied from 20m out.

But Northland refused to buckle, striking back 7min from fulltime when replacement forward Tim Dow was driven over the line for their bonus point try, with Munro's conversion dragging his side to 29-34.

Northland gave themselves a chance to snatch a late win when a penalty left them with a lineout inside the Tasman 22 in the final minute but the visitors lost the throw -- and with it the game.

Earlier, Northland crossed for three of their tries in the opening half, the first to Munro, who caught Tasman napping when the hosts were penalised near their own 22.

Instead of shooting for goal, Munro tapped the ball to himself and scampered to the tryline as the Tasman players milled about wondering what was going on.

There was a touch of good fortune to their second, to lock Roy Griffin, after a Jared Payne chip over the top was charged down directly into Griffin's hands, but Northland needed no outside help for their third when prop Matt Wallis flopped over the line from close range after a ruck.

Tasman's sole reply during this period went to captain and lock Chris Jack, who ran 20m through wafer thin defence after a lineout take.

Tasman 34 (Chris Jack, Blair Cook, Kade Poki, Fai Mika, Poutasi Luafutu tries; Tom Marshall pen, 3 con) Northland 29 (Lachie Munro, Roy Griffin, Matt Wallis, Tim Dow tries; Munro pen, 3 con).Halftime: 8-19

- NZPA