Counties shutout ends Cyclones’ year
Not much went the Manawatu¯ Cyclones’ way in the final round of the Farah Palmer Cup.
Manawatu¯ were thrashed 48-0 by top qualifiers Counties Manukau at the Arena on Saturday, but despite that were still a chance of sneaking into the semifinals.
But then news filtered through that Waikato had beaten Auckland in Auckland and leapfrogged Manawatu¯ into the semifinals and knocking Manawatu¯ out.
At least Manawatu¯ will remain in the premiership, staying ahead of Wellington, who will be relegated to the championship, despite picking up a bonus point against Canterbury.
There was one result that Manawatu¯ coach Fusi Feaunati believed came back to haunt them in the run for the playoffs.
‘‘We’ll probably look at the Waikato game [36-28 loss] as a game we let go,’’ he said.
‘‘The bonus point we let go at the end of that game became quite crucial.
‘‘Not being able to nail that win against Auckland [15-all draw]. Those are the what-if scenarios,’’ he said.
On Saturday Manawatu¯ were on the receiving end from a much bigger Counties Manukau team, whose heavyweight forwards kept powering up the field all day.
Counties Manukau’s rolling maul was almost impossible to stop and their scrum did a number on Manawatu¯ ’s, shunting them backwards and scoring a pushover try.
Off the back of that, Counties’ Black Ferns first five-eighth Victoria Subritzky-nafatali ran the show with her slick kicking and passing.
‘‘Counties Manukau probably came put today and showed exactly why they are the top end of the women’s rugby,’’ Feaunati said. ‘‘It’s a hell of a jump up to that physical presence they have across the field.
‘‘You’ve got to be so accurate in all of the moments they offer in a game of rugby. We had opportunities, it was just a bit of execution around catch and pass, and being able to identify some key areas .’’
Counties Manukau’s two starting props, Aotearoa Matau and Leilani Perese, had a field day brushing off would-be Manawatu¯ defenders.
Matau in particular was hard to stop, smashing her way over for two tries.
According to the media guides, the Counties Manukau starting front row had an average weight of 118kg, while the average weight of Manawatu¯ ’s starting front row was 89kg.
Counties Manukau scored five first-half tries and even though
Manawatu¯ were better on defence in the second half, they spent most of the half tackling, with little possession.
Manawatu¯ ’s backs did test Counties Manukau when they had the ball, making a few breaks, but had few chances.
Selica Winata, playing out of position at first five-eighth, fullback Ruci Malanicagi and wing Lauren Balsillie all showed glimpses of what they can do.
The forward pack battled away and No 8 Georgia Ponsonby looked good at times.
Feaunati said it had been an enjoyable and challenging year with the team. He said there is talent in Manawatu¯ , they just have to keep working on developing it.