Auckland ended six consecutive losses to Canterbury when claiming a 34–29 win in their Mitre 10 Cup Premiership game in Christchurch on Sunday, the first win in the south since 2007. The win left Auckland unbeaten in their 2018 campaign, with a game in hand, while Canterbury are now in a share of second place with Wellington. 

Auckland gained early benefit from their ability to hold Canterbury players in tackles resulting in mauls being called and turnovers resulting. No.8 Akira Ioane played a central role in that area along with lock Jack Whetton. Canterbury lock Luke Romano once again put in a man of the match performance for the home side, with a powerful game on the charge.

Auckland Captain TJ Faiane scored a hat-trick try in the 48th minute. It came when Harry Plummer kicked from his goal-line after a sustained period of play from Canterbury. But wing Melani Nanai fielded the kick and flung a pass infield which was taken by centre Tumua Manu to carry play forward. Nanai then made another bust on the blindside from the ruck, linked with Manu down the sideline to pass inside to Faiane who had come up in support and got over for the try in the tackle.

Flanker Dalton Papalii, given a chance to start due to the belated withdrawal of Captain Blake Gibson, pulled off a scrum intercept one minute after the start, getting his hands on a pass from Canterbury halfback Mitch Drummond as the scrum screwed. He raced 65m downfield before being dragged in by wing Caleb Makene. Support came from first five-eighth Plummer, who took the ball down the sideline before he flicked it inside to Faiane. Four minutes later, Faiane was in again after the tight forwards had hammered the goal-line, before finally halfback Jonathan Ruru popped a pass for Faiane to power over when running a close line.

Canterbury seized their moment when hooker Greg Pleasants-Tate finished off some good play by the pack to get them on the board after 12 minutes. But Auckland played with control to build constructive opportunities and after an impressive build-up through phase play halfback Ruru scored to give them a 22-8 lead after 29 minutes. As the half wound down Canterbury had the confidence to opt for a lineout from a penalty and instead of opting for a driving maul, they worked a play off the back of the lineout which saw flanker Reed Prinsep make a strong burst. In the supporting action, prop Sef Fa'agase scored to pull the halftime margin back to 22-15. 

Canterbury had the satisfaction of a strong finish, scoring two tries in the last minute to take two bonus points for their efforts with tries to replacements, prop Chris King and hooker Brodie McAlister.

Duane Monkley Medal points:

3 - TJ Faiane

2 – Jonathan Ruru

1 – Luke Romano

Scorers: Canterbury 29 (Greg Pleasants-Tate, Sef Fa'agase, Chris King, Brodie McAlister tries; Brett Cameron 3 con, pen) Auckland 34 (TJ Faiane 3, Jonathan Ruru, Tumua Manu tries; Harry Plummer 3 con, pen). HT: 22-15

Match report courtesy of www.mitre10cup.co.nz

Article added: Sunday 16 September 2018