Southland fight hard against loaded Turbos
Thank goodness that’s over: It’s not difficult to imagine Southland fans muttering words to that effect after their 21st consecutive loss in the Mitre 10 Cup.
Their 38-26 loss to Manawatu¯ in Palmerston North yesterday condemned them to their second straight season without a win, meaning it will be almost three years since they’ve won a game by the time next season rolls around. While armed with All Blacks Ngani Laumape, Nehe Milner-skudder and Jackson Hemopo, the Turbos certainly had to work for it against the desperate Stags.
Laumape and captain Antonio Kirikiri bagged doubles, and Hemopo also scored in the bonus point win, which still didn’t feel secure after Jade Te Rure slotted a penalty goal eight minutes from time to create a 12-point buffer.
However, the Stags who trailed by eight after Lewis Ormond scored his second 10 minutes from time, couldn’t find the magic they needed.
The home side, having won just two matches before Sunday, led 21-14 at halftime, before Southland tied the game up early in the second half after Ormond’s
converted try. However, Kirikiri charged down a James Wilson kick, and pounced on the loose ball, to re-establish their lead.
On the back of a couple of penalties, Laumape snared a smart Otere Black grubber to put them 35-21 up with 18 minutes to play.
So more misery for Southland who, under first-year coach Dave
Hewett, showed signs of improvement but find themselves holding the record for most consecutive losses by a national provincial championship side.
The Turbos needed less than 90 seconds to claim their first fivepointer, and bolted out to a 14-0 lead inside 17 minutes.
Hemopo, playing on the openside flank, scored the first when he barged over from close range, punishing the visitors after lock Maanaki Selby-rickit coughed up the kickoff.
Laumape played a big hand in Kirikiri’s first, bursting through a hole and popping a sweet pass to the openside flanker.
But just when the bucket heads thought the romp was on, the Stags came back to tie the game up after 27 minutes.
On the back of a hungry pack which got stuck in at the breakdown and snaffled plenty of ball, prop Morgan Mitchell and firstfive Wilson touched down.
Mitchell finished off a sweeping 60m move, which will surely go down as one of their tries of the season, while Wilson finished off a sparkling break by midfielder Ray Nu’u.
Laumape turned scorer shortly afterwards, running on to a Milner-skudder offload to dot down and give his side a 21-14 lead at the split.