Counties finish on high note against Tasman [Fairfax]
The Tasman Makos have blown their chance of qualifying top for next weekend's NPC premiership semifinals following a 21-16 loss to Counties-Manukau in Blenheim today.
With Counties already out of playoff contention, they were simply playing for pride. And they produced a totally committed effort to hand Tasman just their second loss off the season, outscoring the home team by three tries to one.
It means that Tasman will now host Canterbury in Nelson, while top qualifiers Taranaki will host Auckland in New Plymouth.
Tasman had control of their fate heading into the contest. Canterbury's preceding 26-23 win over Taranaki in New Plymouth meant the Makos needed just two championship points from the match to secure top billing for the playoffs.
But Counties were too good for an error-ridden Tasman side to at least end their season on a positive note.
Counties were denied two tries within the opening 15 minutes after both lock Sikeli Nabou and No 8 Maama Vaipulu were ruled to have been held up on the line. But a defensive penalty, after Vaipulu attempted to power over again from a five-metre scrum, allowed Tasman to relieve some intense early pressure.
Instead, it was three penalty successes from No 10 Rohan Saifoloi that gave Tasman an early 9-0 lead. Counties were finally rewarded for their territorial dominance when loosehead prop Puliasi Manu took advantage of superior numbers out wide, and a deft left-foot step, to score the only try of the half after 27 minutes to reduce Tasman's lead to 9-7.
Tasman not surprisingly struggled to achieve any of their usual attacking rhythm with up to eight of their regular first team players sitting on the sideline. However, excellent scrambling defence continued to deny Counties any further rewards, despite their wealth of possession and real estate.
In his last game for Counties, second five-eighth Bundee Aki provided a strong attacking presence throughout the match, eventually moving out to centre to accommodate the arrival of Sonny Bill Williams off the bench 10 minutes before the break. Still, Tasman somehow managed to head to the break two points ahead.
The momentum remained with Counties after the break as they continued to run the ball at Tasman. However, a spectacular counter-attack by Tasman saw fullback Robbie Malneek beat the defence near halfway then scamper 60m for the home team's first try and a surprise 16-7 lead.
Counties eventually took the lead for the first time at 21-16 when ex-Tasman loosie Jordan Taufua crossed for their third try with 13 minutes remaining.A loose pass in Tasman's backline presented Counties' substitute midfielder Mike Stanley with an easy try between the posts midway through the half as Tasman's lead was reduced to 16-14.
Tasman were attacking strongly at the finish but Counties held on for a deserved win.
Counties-Manukau 21 (Puliasi Manu, Mike Stanley, Jordan Taufua tries, Ahsee Tuala con, Stanley 2 cons) Tasman 16 (Robbie Malneek try, Rohan Saifoloi 3 pens, Marty Banks con) HT7-9.
