Two emerging backs on the New Zealand rugby landscape tore the heart out of Southland as Manawatu emerged surprise 25-23 winners of their Air NZ Cup match.
Fleet-footed winger Andre Taylor and first five-eighth Aaron Cruden were the heroes of a spirited Manawatu performance in Invercargill, scoring crucial tries early
in the second half of an exciting fixture.
Taylor bagged a double, having scored the only try of a tight first half which saw the visitors open up an 8-3 lead.
But it was Cruden who set up victory with a superb individual try that embarrassed All Blacks halfback Jimmy Cowan.
The star of New Zealand's successful under-20 world championship campaign this year, Cruden charged down an attempted Cowan box kick from a ruck and then outsprinted him in a 45m race to the tryline.
It put the visitors 22-8 up after their halftime advantage was nullified by a try to Southland flanker John Hardie.
The southerners bounced back through two rapid tries of their own, to impressive prop Jamie Mackintosh and an intercept to centre Kenny Lynn.
However, they ultimately paid for an inaccurate goalkicking night from fullback Robbie Robinson, who landed just three from eight shots.
It was Southland's first loss of their campaign, following tight wins over Waikato and Otago while Manawatu climb to the same two win-one loss record following last week's loss to Waikato.
Manawatu were led by a fine loose forward effort from No 8 Brent Thompson, captain Nick Crosswell and Josh Bradnock, the latter playing his first first-class match in a year spoiled by injury.
Thompson set up Taylor's first try with a fine bust.
The game opened up in the second spell and Southland's bigger pack got on top in the final quarter but it was too late to prevent a boilover.
Manawatu 25 (Andre Taylor 2, Aaron Cruden tries; Cruden pen, 2 con, Isaac Thompson pen) Southland 23 (John Hardie, Jamie Mackintosh, Kenny Lynn tries; Robbie Robinson 2 pen, con). Halftime: 8-3
- NZPA
