Counties 15 minutes blitzes Tasman
Tasman prop Tyrel Lomax takes the ball into contact as Counties winger Albert Nikoro makes the tackle.
As dress rehearsals go, it clearly wasn't what Tasman had in mind ahead of next week's Mitre 10 Cup playoffs.
Tasman's momentum has taken a significant pounding after an inspired Counties Manukau handed them a stunning 52-30 defeat in Pukekohe on Saturday.
It was a remarkable performance by a Counties side already out of semifinal contention, the home team eventually prevailing in a high-scoring clash despite being reduced to 13 players late in the clash with winger Albert Nikoro, a former Tasman player, being shown a red card.
A makeshift looking Tasman side had no answer to Counties' late flourish, inspired principally from the back by effervescent fullback Tim Nanai-Williams, as Counties ran in four tries over the last quarter to finish with eight, including a penalty try.
It was the first time Tasman have conceded 50 points in their brief history, although with their playoff aspirations already confirmed, Tasman's selectors took the opportunity to rest some key individuals ahead of next week's semifinals.
It meant debut appearances for former New Zealand Under-20 prop Ryan Coxon and winger Tomas Aoake, with Tima Faingaanuku also making his first appearance at fullback for the season. Hooker Sam Moli, young lock Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta and Tasman Under-19 captain Rupena Parkinson would also make their respective debuts as second half replacements.
Tasman head coach Leon MacDonald was understandably stunned by the result.
"We don't have much time to dwell on that performance, I thought we were well and truly beaten in the end so it was disappointing, the second half in particular," he said. "But that's the way it is and we'll just have to regroup really quickly and get ready for the semi..
"Obviously our defence was poor in the second half and Counties, when they get their tails up like they did, were outstanding and we just couldn't stop the momentum."
He said that Tasman's young debutants now knew what provincial rugby was about.
"I suppose it was a bit of a shock to the system for some of these young guys to see what the next level of rugby is like above club rugby. They tried hard and gave it everything they had and you can't fault the effort."
Tasman certainly didn't show any early affects of the significant reshuffle, with tries to both first five-eighth Tim O'Malley and flanker Ethan Blackadder inside the opening seven minutes shunting them to a shock 14-0 lead.
It didn't take Counties long to respond, hooker Joe Royal and centre Nigel Ah Wong each lunging over from attacking lineout drives to reduce Tasman's lead to just two points midway through the half.
Tasman countered with some clinical touches of their own, bullocking winger Levi Aumua capping off a strong run by flanker Pete Samu from a turnover with Tasman's third try in the corner.
Royal was denied his second try of the match following a blistering counterattack due to an obstruction call just before halftime. But Ah Wong cashed in again moments later, intercepting a pass after the halftime hooter had sounded to reduce Tasman's lead to 22-19 at the break.
The frenetic pace continued directly after the restart when second five-eighth Alex Nankivell crossed for Tasman's bonus point try following a strong break by flanker Vernon Fredericks.
And true to script, Counties responded in typical fashion with a try to second five-eighth Orbyn Leger after some clever build up by Nanai-Williams.
It took them a full 62 minutes, but Counties finally secured their first lead of the match at 31-30 when they were awarded a penalty try by referee Paul Williams for Tasman illegally sacking a maul on their own line, Moli also spending 10 minutes in the bin.
But the real controversy came three minutes later when Nikoro was red-carded for a high tackle, reserve first five-eighth Baden Kerr following him in the same breath after he was shown a yellow card for a similar offence.
But despite being reduced to 13 men, Counties showed remarkable resilience and character to add three further tries to Nanai-Williams, flanker Sam Henwood and Kerr in a withering finish.
AT A GLANCE
Counties Manukau 52 (Nigel Ah Wong 2, Joe Royal, Orbyn Leger, Tim Nanai-Williams, Sam Henwood, Baden Kerr tries, penalty try, Stephen Donald 2 con, Luteru Laulala 2 con, Jimmy Tupou con) Tasman 30 (Tim O'Malley, Ethan Blackadder, Levi Aumua, Alex Nankivell tries, O'Malley 2 con, 2 pen) HT: 19-22.
