Mustangs run Orcas close
The Manawatu¯ Mustangs will head into their clash with the Northern Swords with their tails up after running the Wellington Orcas close.
Wellington won 36-22 at Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North, on Saturday in Manawatu¯ ’s first game of the season, but the Orcas scored three tries in the last 15 minutes to pull away.
Manawatu¯ host the Northern Swords this weekend.
Saturday’s game was level 22-all going into the last quarter, but Wellington’s big forwards starting making breaks on the edges and scored three late tries to win the game.
There is no senior club competition in Manawatu¯ this year, so most of the squad played club rugby instead, and aside from a couple of trials, this was the first proper game of rugby league for them.
Mustangs coach Haze Reweti said his side put in a good shift.
‘‘We were good in areas and bad in areas. It just shows a lack of consistency in rugby league around here.
‘‘The boys hadn’t played much league this year and it showed at the back end of the game.’’
He said he was happy with how they played, but a few little things let them down at the end of the game.
‘‘We’ve just got to be better in small areas.’’
Manawatu¯ were getting quick play-the-balls and making big metres in the opening quarter and Wellington’s forwards looked tired.
The Mustangs led 12-0 through tries to prop Gordy Karaitiana and halfback Corey Governor.
But Wellington came back and started making breaks.
They scored three tries to take a 16-12 halftime lead.
The teams traded tries after halftime to make it 22-all, before Wellington’s big forwards became too much for Manawatu¯ to handle.
Manawatu¯ ’s middle forwards put in a courageous effort against a bigger Wellington pack, with lock Woody Martin in the thick of the tackling as always.
Prop Taumutu Afemui-nohotima was one of their standouts with his powerful runs, while second rower Joshua Kerr was into everything on attack and defence.
Centre Joshua Metekingi was solid on defence, fullback Jahlon Governor, son of Corey, showed some deft touches and forward Darcy Cook was strong off the bench with his runs.