Turbos win boosts confidence

The Manawatu Turbos have dealt themselves a major confidence boost after picking up a bonuspoint win over last season’s finalist Tasman.

Manawatu got up 35-20 in Palmerston North yesterday to record their first win of the season. The Turbos bagged four tries and held the dangerous Makos side to just two.

Manawatu coach Jeremy Cotter was pleased to see the team not repeat the same mistakes made in the loss to Wellington in week one.

By the time the replay was shown, it was too late.

Among the major positives for the Turbos was a well-functioning lineout and one of the cleanest performances in terms of kickoff reception in the last two years.

There was also great impact from the bench, particularly from props Sean Paranihi and Tuki Raimona. The Turbos left their subs later in the match than they did against Wellington.

‘‘We were dictating play and if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,’’ Cotter said.

One of the earlier subs was Jamie Booth, but he did not last long. The halfback was collected by the elbow of Tasman wing Tima Faingaanuku after a charge down attempt. Faingaanuku was yellow carded for the blow.

Booth did not return to the game with a broken nose, but he is not believed to have a concussion.

The only other injury was a rolled ankle to hooker Hunter Prescott, but Cotter did not think it was serious.

Manawatu started the match poorly with errors and defensive lapses, but this week they scrambled better to avoid punishment on the scoreboard.

Nick Crosswell scored the first try in the 21st minute after a patient build up close to the line.

Then Kurt Baker announced his return to the Turbos with a solo counter-attacking try, including a regathered chip kick and a broken tackle.

The 15-3 lead at halftime looked comfortable, but Tasman came out hard in the second half.

The Makos scored through Alex Ainley, then the Turbos replied with a try from a rolling maul to Prescott.

Tasman kept the scoreboard rolling over and when Michael Green scored their second try, the gap was just two points.

But Manawatu remained composed.

Tasman lost their second man to the bin with eight minutes to go after collapsing a charging Turbos maul as Black kicked Manawatu into a comfortable lead.

They maintained the pressure in the dying stages and Hamish Northcott crossed for the bonuspoint try on fulltime.

Manawatu now head to Dunedin to take on Otago with the possibility of Nehe Milner-skudder and Ngani Laumape both suiting up for the match.