Pacific way helps Counties regain form

By LINDSAY KNIGHT

Counties Manukau have been counting on Fiji and Pacific Islands international loose forward Sisa Koyamaibole to produce most of their muscle and momentum in this season's national provincial championship second division.

And after a disappointing showing in last week's Ranfurly Shield challenge, Koyamaibole began to show some of his ability in Counties' 40-32 win over Manawatu in the NPC opener at Pukekohe on Saturday.

But it was a lesser-known Pacific Islands product, 19-year old Taisina Tuifua, who shaded even Koyamaibole and proved to be the most effective Steelers forward in the six tries to four victory.

In the shield match against Auckland, Tuifua came on and scored a second spell try, and on Saturday he was equally dynamic on the openside flank.

Fresh out of St Kentigern College in Auckland, Tuifua was not expected to be a NPC regular so early in his career, but has received his chance through a knee injury to the youngster Counties were grooming to be their openside flanker, national under-19 representative Kieran Read.

The overall Counties team effort against Manawatu was less impressive.

The pack led by Koyamaibole, Tuifua and another Fiji test man, Api Naevo, steamrolled Manawatu from pick and go situations with their driving and mauling in the first spell for three tries, two of which were scored by Koyamaibole.

And when lively hooker Mark Price scored twice early in the second spell, it seemed that with a lead then of 35-13, Counties would bolt away to an easy win over one of their main rivals.

But when Koyamaibole, who had shown immense power and strength, began to fade the team effort fell away alarmingly.

Manawatu stormed back and dominated the rest of the match.

Halfback Charlie Beetham and fullback Craig Clare exploited some shoddy defence for tries.

Manawatu could have come even closer had not impressive, rangy lock Hayden Triggs been ruled to have gone into touch after an athletic run.

Though Manawatu did secure a bonus point for four tries, Counties with five minutes left finally broke out of defence to clinch the game with a try to replacement wing Niva Taauso. It was the only try scored by the side's backs.

Although Counties secured maximum points, co-coach Gary Millington said the team knew an improvement would be needed next weekend when they were away to Marlborough.

His main concerns were a big penalty count and several silly errors.

Marlborough showed they might be a force in the competition with a 21-20 away win over East Coast.

Nelson Bays, through a late penalty goal, were also winners by a single point, 17-16 over second division newcomers Wanganui.

Last year's champions, Hawkes Bay, had the bye, and the most significant performance of the day, shading even the Counties win over Manawatu, came from last year's semifinalists, North Otago, who travelled to Paeroa and scored nine tries in hammering the Thames Valley Swamp Foxes 62-5.


NPC points table

NPC fixtures