Makos undone by speedy Steelers [Marlborough Express]

Just eight days and a third of the way into their ITM Cup rugby campaign and the Tasman Makos hopes of winning the championships division are all but gone, following yesterday's 23-32 defeat by Counties Manukau at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim. About 1000 fans – the smallest crowd for an ITM Cup match in Blenheim – braved freezing conditions to watch the Makos play most of the rugby, dominate possession and territory but fail to convert that advantage into enough points.
The Steelers had much more strike-power in their backline, and when half-chances opened up, their superior pace shone through with fullback Sherwin Stowers and winger Ahsee Tuala particularly lethal, picking up two tries each. There was no doubting the Makos' effort and endeavour. They looked shattered and hugely disappointed at the end of the match. Skipper Andrew Goodman is a very proud Makos man and was particularly devastated his team was unable to win, despite playing well for long periods.
On the strength of yesterday's result, it's difficult to see where their first win of the season is going to come from given their next two matches are away on Friday to Waikato, followed by Hawke's Bay the following Tuesday, and against defending champions Canterbury in Blenheim on Friday week.
Coach Kieran Keane, while despondent about the result, said the team won't be sulking. He didn't doubt his team's desire to win. They would just continue to put their heads down, he said, and work hard to rectify the things which are going wrong. Crucial missed tackles, handling errors, not securing kickoffs and conceding penalties all combined to prevent the team building enough pressure to crack a determined Counties Manukau defence.
Spectators hardly had time to sit down before Counties Manukau scored the opening try in the first minute of play, the result of the Makos failing to secure the kick-off as the visitors had first use of a brisk southerly breeze, which died out by the end of the match. Halfback Augustine Pulu broke and a beautiful off-load to Tuala resulted in a fine try which Tasesa Lavea converted.
Counties Manukau continued to threaten in the opening exchanges but gradually the Makos worked their way back into the match and began to dominate. They turned down two kickable penalties in search of tries but eventually decided to have a shot at goal on the third and Goodman succeeded. Again, they failed to secure the kickoff which resulted in a Counties Manukau penalty which Lavea converted, then in the 26th minute the home team scored a fine try. Flanker Jonathan Poff turned over opposition ball, Mark Bright, Craig Moore and Fai Mika featured, Joe Wheeler taking an in-pass from Mika to score by the posts. Goodman's conversion tied the score at 10-10.
Lavea landed another penalty to put Counties Manukau ahead 13-10 at halftime. The second half began with an unsuccessful field goal attempt by James Marshall, but in the 43rd minute Goodman levelled the scores with a penalty. The turning point came when Counties Manukau coach Milton Haig injected four replacement players on at once, 12 minutes into the second spell – and with his first touch of the ball, replacement halfback David Bason broke 60 metres downfield and from second phase play, Stowers scored, Lavea converting.
Goodman landed another penalty, but Counties Manukau scored again when centre Bundee Aki made the initial break and Tuala's pace carried him past the Makos defence. The Makos continued to mount pressure over the closing stages, turning down goal-kicking attempts in search of tries. They were finally rewarded with a cracking set-piece try to winger Mitchell Scott from a scrum, Goodman converting from near the touchline.
The individual star of the match was Makos openside flanker Shane Christie – rugby's version of the Energiser bunny. The New Zealand sevens player has grown another leg this year with his huge work-rate both on defence and with ball in hand. Fellow flanker Poff played well, as did Bright and Wheeler until the latter left the field injured in the second half, and at prop Craig Moore had his most impressive game in the Makos jumper. Tom Marshall was the backline star. Returning from Super rugby duties with the Crusaders, he sparked regular attacks, breaking the first line of defence almost every time he challenged it. Winger Scott also had his best game this season and thoroughly deserved his try at the finish. The Makos set-piece was sound, the scrum in particular dominant by the finish, but in the end it was to no avail on the scoreboard.
Bason made a big impression as a second-half replacement for Counties Manukau. Tuala, Stowers, Aki and second-five Niva Ta'auso were electric with ball in hand, while the forwards were determined in defence, and No8 Fritz Lee an impressive ball carrier. The Makos at least have more time this week to lick their wounds and prepare to pull off an upset by beating Waikato at Hamilton on Friday – something Tasman have achieved previously.
Scorers: Counties Manukau 32 (Ase Tuala 2, Sherwin Stowers 2 tries, Tasesa Lavea 2 con, 2 pen, James Semple con) Tasman Makos 23 (Joe Wheeler, Mitchell Scott tries, Andrew Goodman 2 con, 3 pen). Half-time: Counties Manukau 13-10. - The Marlborough Express