It was a taste of what professional-standard rugby will be like for Steelform Wanganui in their Ranfurly Shield challenge in August after the second-tier team was beaten 34-15 by the Manawatu Evergreens on Wednesday night.
Wanganui came back twice at CET Arena in Palmerston North - leading 8-7 after 30minutes through a penalty and a try by Ruapehu hooker Roman Tutauha, easily the most experienced forward in the pack, and then Border loose forward Jake Alabaster's converted try narrowed Evergreens' advantage to 24-15 after 51 minutes.
Two tries in the last seven minutes by the Evergreens blew the scoreline out slightly.
It was the first time Wanganui had played under the new rules package being used at Mitre 10 Cup level and by the clubs from those professional unions, but not in the Heartland Championship and local club rugby.
Coach Jason Caskey said the referee was surprised his team was able to interpret and adapt as well as they did, although as expected there were a few penalties around the breakdown area.
"Mainly when we were really hot on attack, people resort to getting a bit overzealous - off feet, losing accuracy. These games are always hard and that's what I said to the boys after the game. They didn't get any time - under pressure the whole time."
Wanganui will challenge Waikato for the Shield under those rules in August.
The front row scrummaged well, although there was one tighthead conceded against their bigger opposition.
Both the Border locks Sam Madams and Gavin Thornbury got through plenty of work, while Caskey was also pleased with Kaierau utility back Anaru Saurara's 55 minutes at halfback - the position he only moved into for his club because of necessity earlier in the season.
The team was captained by Taihape's Dane Whale in the absence of clubmate Tremaine Gilbert, who Caskey said was pulled out of the match.
The plan had been to shift Whale around at halftime with Ruapehu's Craig Clare at centre, but the former Highlander had to come off for a quad strain.
Whale therefore covered No 10 for 60 minutes and then handed over to Pirates' Tupu Tavae, who came into the team for injured fullback Nick Harding and at that point in the game was the only other real choice available.
Metro fullback Te Rangatira Waitokia did not get a lot of chances to show his attacking skills, but made good tackles.
"He's bound to get another opportunity," Caskey said.
