Mako suffer second loss of the season against a rampant Auckland
By Jonty Dine [Nelson Weekly / Nelson App]
While the Harbour loss was humbling, Saturday’s defeat by Auckland will leave the Mako feeling humiliated.
Serious questions will be asked of Tasman's chances of going back to back after the defending champions were crushed 31-10 at Eden Park this afternoon.
The Mako hardly fired a shot as they were thoroughly out-played, out-enthused and out-classed by a rampant Auckland outfit.
It took twenty minutes for points to be scored, coming through an Adrian Chote try on from a surging lineout drive.
The hosts went back to back through its pack as Auckland's big men hammered away at the Tasman defence with Marcel Renata finally cracking the line.
Tasman looked a shadow of the side that went unbeaten in 2019, committing simple errors which Auckland started to punish.
The Mako were once again standing under the sticks as winger AJ Lam finished off a superb breakout by Auckland to take a 19-0 lead.
Auckland's dominance continued, an unclaimed up and under sending Tumua Manu away for a bonus point try before halftime.
Sevu Reece was injected immediately after the break for centre Kieron Fonotia as the Mako looked to spark a comeback.
Those hopes were quickly quashed when Harry Plummer put it on a plate for Salesi Rayasi who leapt above Reece to claim the crosskick and dot down.
Tasman would again struggle to mount any meaningful offence with Auckland also struggling to maintain possession.
An injury break caused a significant delay before the Mako finally crossed the chalk in fortuitous fashion.
Alex Nankivell charged down a Plummer kick and regathered to put Tasman on the board after 63 scoreless minutes.
The Mako would enjoy a late consolation try through Quentin MacDonald right on fulltime in what was otherwise a forgettable trip north.
This weekend Tasman will return to Trafalgar Park to take on Southland.
Kick off on Sunday is 2:05pm.
Scorers:
Auckland 31 (Adrian Chote, Marcel Renata, AJ Lam, Tumua Manu, Salesi Rayasi tries, Harry Plummer 2 cons) defeated Tasman 10 (Alex Nankivell, Quentin MacDonald tries)
