Rugby: Manawatu keep on rolling

Jason Emery of Manawatu looks to evade the Counties defence. Photo / Getty Images

Manawatu 26
Counties Manukau 10
Manawatu confirmed their lofty position at the top of the ITM Cup Championship table with a decisive victory in Palmerston North.

This was the fifth win in four weeks by a second tier union over a Premiership outfit, and the second in nine days by the Turbos.

Manawatu No 10 Jade Te Rure, himself in a battle for his jersey with the prodigiously talented Otere Black, lifted the clash out of the mundane in the 45th minute. His shimmy, feint and inside ball sent second five Jason Emery in for a super try. Te Rure himself was over less than five minutes later after a sweet offload by centre Jaxon Tagavaitau.

A try between the sticks to flanker Onosa'i Auva'a gave some hope to the visitors, but it was too little, too late for the flat Steelers.

Black's boot kept the Turbos' noses well ahead, and then replacement halfback Jamie Booth sparked a movement that nearly saw Emery score in spectacular style in the corner.
The first spell was nothing to write home about, though Tana Umaga would have been tearing his hair out at Counties Manukau's poor kickoff receptions.

The Turbos led 6-3 at the break. Their forward pack was industrious and presented a stonewall defence, but they could not make optimal use of possession and were hemmed into their own territory, partly through raising referee Michael Lash's ire.

Openside flanker Callum Gibbins led by example for Manawatu, and a Super Rugby contract surely awaits this unheralded workhorse.

Steelers flanker Dan Hyatt was prominent in the first half, where Counties Manukau enjoyed the lion's share of the ball and field position. But they weren't able to do enough with it, and kept making mistakes which compounded their difficulties. Their backs were not the slick, freewheelers we have come to know and love, looking almost ponderous at times.

No less than three of the Steelers hoisted 50 games for the union in this one, captain Tim Nanai-Williams, Kane Hancy and Ahsee Tuala.

This was Manawatu's first win over Counties Manukau since 2009. It was well-earned, coming just four days after beating Bay of Plenty.

Manawatu (Jason Emery, Jade Te Rure tries; Te Rure 2 con, 2 pen, Otere Black 2 pen)
Counties Manukau (Onosa'i Auva'a try; Ahsee Tuala con, Michael Stanley pen) HT: 6-3 Manawatu

Key moments

Bad omens
The auspices did not bode well when Steelers lock Jimmy Tupou dropped the kickoff, from which the Turbos gleefully took three points.

Petone pairing
The respective coaches Jason O'Halloran and Tana Umaga locked horns after a playing career which saw them appear together for Petone, Wellington and the Hurricanes.