Semifinal hopes alive with historic away win over Auckland
Tasman first five-eighth Marty Banks attempts to spark an attack while also contributing 26 points in a faultless goal-kicking display.
Tasman have given their premiership semifinal hopes a significant shunt after a historic 49-31 Mitre 10 Cup rugby win over Auckland at Eden Park on Thursday.
It was Tasman's first ever away win over Auckland and just the second against New Zealand's biggest union in their brief history, their best previous effort at Eden Park being a 16-16 draw in 2014.
More importantly it kept previously fifth-placed Tasman well in the playoff hunt with a game in hand following an entertaining clash in which the lead changed numerous times in wet, slippery conditions.
Auckland's Steven Luatua offloads in the tackle of Tasman's Shane Christie during their Mitre 10 Cup rugby clash at Eden Park.
It left Tasman head coach Leon MacDonald singing his team's praises after a superb set-phase performance by the Makos' forwards, highlighted by a dominant scrum, and Tasman's ability to shut down Auckland's dangerous siblings Akira and Rieko Ioane.
"I'm extremely proud. It was just a massive team effort and we were really excited about the opportunity to create our own little piece of history to beat Auckland away for the first time - and we knocked it off," MacDonald said.
"[The forwards] really took it to them up front there and collectively I think they worked really hard in that set piece and laid a platform right from the very first scrum. Our heads were in the game and it set the tone."
Tasman's effective defence again proved critical.
"In the second half we got it right, we got set early, got off the line and cut down their time."
Strong one-off running, a superior scrum and excellent support play gave Tasman some early momentum, with in-form flanker Pete Samu eventually cashing in with the game's opening try and a 10-0 lead after just nine minutes.
Auckland's forwards eventually got the home team back in the frame, driving strongly inside Tasman's red zone from an attacking lineout to put big lock Scott Scrafton across beside the posts and narrow the margin to 10-7.
With the home team's confidence noticeably increasing, Auckland winger Pryor Collier capped an excellent attack with a try in the corner to give Auckland their first lead at 14-10. Simon Hickey's excellent sideline conversion was in stark contrast to a disastrous earlier penalty attempt when he slipped on the wet surface from virtually in front of the posts.
Tasman No 10 Marty Banks cut the margin to just one point with a successful penalty success, before prop Tim Perry helped put Tasman back in front when he crashed over after 31 minutes for a 20-14 lead.
Both teams belied the wet conditions by continuing to successfully move the ball, although when winger Lolagi Visinia intercepted a loose Tasman pass to sprint 40m for a gift try, Auckland added another intriguing twist to an entertaining first half spectacle.
With the halftime siren already sounded, Tasman winger Caleb Makene appeared to score in the corner, only for referee Glen Jackson to rule it out for an alleged obstruction. However, a third Banks penalty helped cut Auckland's lead to 24-23 at the break.
Tasman mirrored their first half performance with an explosive restart, second five-eighth David Havili scoring between the posts after two minutes as the lead changed for the fifth time to put Tasman ahead 30-24.
But almost on cue, Auckland struck back just minutes later when Visinia slid across in the corner for his second and Auckland's bonus-point try, Hickey's superb conversion allowing Auckland to reclaim the lead at 31-30.
Predictably, Auckland's lead didn't last long as two successive Banks penalties soon had Tasman back in front at 36-31. A spectacular 60m penalty success by Havili just moments later stretched Tasman's lead to eight points.
Tasman earned some crucial breathing space when rookie lock Quentin Strange rumbled across with 10 minutes remaining to secure their try-scoring bonus and a handy 46-31 lead. Banks finally signed off with a last minute penalty in a faultless kicking display to end the game with 26 points.
Tasman must now make the most of their final two outings, starting with an away clash against championship team North Harbour at Albany next Wednesday.
Also in Tasman's favour is a final round draw that pitches Auckland against Taranaki and Canterbury against Counties Manukau, while Tasman host bottom-placed championship team Southland in Nelson.
Tasman 49 (Pete Samu, Tim Perry, David Havili, Quentin Strange tries, Marty Banks 6 pen, 4 con, Havili pen) Auckland 31 (Lolagi Visinia 2, Scott Scrafton, Pryor Collier tries, Simon Hickey pen, 4 con) HT: 23-24
