Auckland fight back to see off local rivals

A slow start didn’t hamper Auckland at Eden Park yesterday as they overcame an early deficit to claim a 23-19 win over Counties Manukau.

First five-eighth Harry Plummer’s boot proved the difference, with both sides running in three tries.

The match was only two minutes old when the scoreboard first ticked over.

Counties Manukau struck first through tighthead prop Kalolo Tuiloma, who capitalised on getting the ball just metres from the tryline.

Auckland hit back through winger Salesi Rayasi just eight minutes later but his unconverted try was cancelled out when Counties Manukau No 8 Sam Henwood scored.

Down 14-5 after 18 minutes, captain Blake Gibson put Auckland on his shoulders as he barged over the line from close range.

And when Melani Nanai went over from a stunning solo effort, Auckland were up 20-14 at the break.

Counties Manukau scored the only try of the second half through loosehead prop Howard Sililoto as the defences clamped down.

Sililoto’s try went unconverted, and after Plummer slotted a penalty in the 58th minute, Auckland snuffed out the Counties Manukau attack to close out the win.

● Since 2006, matches between Bay of Plenty and Taranaki have gone one way. Last night, Bay of Plenty changed the script.

The Steamers dominated a poor Taranaki side for the full 80 minutes to post a 30-10 win in their first Mitre 10 Cup match of the season.

Taranaki had no answer to the Steamers’ bludgeoning forward pack, contributing all three of the side’s tries.

Hooker Liam Polwart was the first to open his account for the year, scoring the opening try of the match before winger Seta Tamanivalu hit back for Taranaki.

Bay of Plenty lock Kane Leaupepe bagged a five-pointer of his own 12 minutes out from halftime, lifting the Steamers to a 14-10 lead at the break.

The second half was one-way traffic. Lock Aaron Carroll scored the only try of the second half, with three late penalties from Mike Delany pushing the margin out considerably.

● Manawatu also started their campaign off on the right foot in the day’s early game, defeating Waikato 24-19 thanks to a 74th-minute try to winger Junior Laloifi.