David Holwell turned the clock back as he steered Northland to a massive 77-8 win over a hapless Manawatu in a ITM Cup match at Whangarei today.
Holwell, 35, set up a try, scored one himself and kicked a penalty and conversion for good measure as Northland rebounded from lastweek's narrow 24-25 defeat to North Harbour.
Northland skipper and centre Jared Payne also starred with four tries while fullback Lachie Munro banked a total of 32 points from two late tries, two penalties and eight conversions.
Big things were expected of Manawatu after their big-hearted performance in the last round against Canterbury in which they led for 60 minutes before losing 26-27.
But what turned up in Whangarei was a far cry from that side as Manawatu threw up a porous defence in the first half to allow Northland to lead 30-8 at halftime.
Manawatu halfback Aaron Smith worked hard to get things going but first five-eighth Tomasi Cama was a shadow of the man who had troubled Canterbury last week.
Flanker Dan Pryor and Payne with two scored Northland's first half tries while Manawatu struck back through prop Ma'afu Fia.
Payne's second try was a gem as Northland, counter attacking from inside their 22, needed only five passes to get the ball to their skipper to dot down.
Northland were rampant in the second half as Manawatu's defence vanished. The visitors also lost fullback Craig Clare to the sin bin for a tip tackle.
Holwell got his try by plucking an attempted chip kick by Hadleigh Parkes, opening the floodgates for six further Northland tries.
Northland 77 (Jared Payne 4, Lachie Munro 2, Dan Pryor, David Holwell, Rhyan Caine, Mark Burman tries; Munro 2 pen, 8 con, David Holwell pen, con) Manawatu 8 (Ma'afu Fia try; Craig Clare pen)
