Tribalism of NPC alive and kicking

When Counties Manukau pipped Otago 23-22 on Saturday, respective captains Sekope Kepu and James Lentjes reminded rugby fans why the tribalism of the national provincial championship shouldn’t be underestimated.

While there’s no disputing the NPC, now played with all 14 teams competing for one title, comes a distant second to Super Rugby Pacific it still means plenty to the blokes at the coal face.

Kepu and Lentjes spoke with passion, and clarity, during the post-match interviews on Saturday afternoon as they offered their insights into a pulsating match that was decided by a late drop goal from Counties No 10 Riley Hohepa in Pukekohe.

Ex-Wallabies prop Kepu, who captained Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby Pacific this year, talked eloquently about what the victory meant for his men and the province after they pounced on an Otago mistake at the opposite end of the field to switch themselves into attack-mode.

Loose forward Lentjes, on the other hand, couldn’t hide his disappointment. He lamented his side’s lack of accuracy and decisionmaking, especially at the death when it appeared Otago had the game won before electing to spin the ball wide and then turn it over.

Lentjes had every reason to be frustrated. With his side ahead 22-13 with 10 minutes left, Otago should have been good enough to win.

There was more drama when Waikato blew a regal opportunity to celebrate Liam Messam’s 100th game for the province by beating Hawke’s Bay when the teams went into extra-time in Hamilton in the next fixture on Saturday.

The game, eventually ended in a 32-32 draw. But not before the paying spectators got real value for money.

All Black Damian McKenzie, who isn’t eligible for the national side under NZ Rugby’s ‘‘return to play criteria’’ because he skipped

Manawatu¯ 15 (

HT:

In Hamilton: Waikato 32 (Bailyn Sullivan, D’Angelo Leuila, James Tucker, Danny Sinkinson tries; Damian McKeznie 2 pen, 3 con) Hawke’s Bay 32 (Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Weber, Danny Toala, Tom Parsons tries; Caleb Makene 2 pen, 3 con). HT: 24-20. FT: 32-32. ET: 32-32.

In Pukekohe: Counties Manukau 23 (Zuriel Togiatama, Esau Filimoehala tries; Riley Hohepa 2 pen, 2 con, dg) Otago 22 (Jona Nareki 2, Thomas Umaga-Jensen tries; Josh Ioane pen, con, Sam Gilbert con. HT: 10-7.

In Auckland: Auckland 36 (Connor Vest, Leni Apisai, Zarn Sullivan, Soane Vikena tries, pen try; Harry Plummer pen, 3 con) North Harbour 26 (Mark Telea 2, AJ Lam, Cameron Suafoa tries; Bryn Gatland 3 con). HT: 15-21.

Super Rugby Pacific to play in Japan, must be tempted to do extra work on his goal kicking before Waikato meet Northland in the second round.

McKenzie missed a penalty shortly before fulltime, and another in extra-time. He also sprayed a drop goal attempt, which surely wasn’t intimidating for a player of his calibre.

Waikato, who won the premiership last year under coach Ross Filipo, led 24-20 at halftime. A couple of men with experience of playing for the All Blacks, Brad Weber and Luke Jacobson, were also involved in an incident in the second half.

Jacobson was yellow carded for a professional foul when he slapped the ball out of Weber’s mitts, and Hawke’s Bay captain Tom Parsons scored a vital try soon after.

Meanwhile, Auckland denied North Harbour a bonus point when they piled on the points in the third quarter to eventually win 36-26 at Eden Park in Auckland.

Harbour were up 26-15 soon after halftime before everything fell to pieces. They conceded three tries, starting with a penalty try because Harbour prop Nic Mayhew was yellow carded for illegally collapsing a maul on his tryline.

On Friday night, Canterbury pummelled Manawatū 62-15 in Palmerston North.

Canterbury, who were stacked with Super Rugby players, rattled on nine tries as their forward pack delivered a magic carpet ride for their backs.

It was a tough way for Manawatū to start their season, although they at least had the final say after Drew Wild scored the final try of the evening in the 80th minute.

The All Blacks’ woes continued in South Africa, falling 26-10 against a predictable but effective Springboks side.

Prior to the test, New Zealand Rugby signalled to Ian Foster it was looking for significant improvements in South Africa, with the head coach’s job on the line.

Were there any signs of this in Mbombela? The answer is yes and no, with new forwards coach Jason Ryan having an obvious impact while the attack continued to struggle.

Here are five big questions from the All Blacks’ fifth loss in six tests.

How did the All Blacks cope under the high ball barrage?

In a word, poorly. Foster complained afterwards about the Springboks throwing players at the All Blacks’ catchers, but in some instances the All Blacks were flat-out beaten by technically better and more accurate opponents.

Springboks wing Kurt-Lee Arendse – all 1.8m and 76kg of him – repeatedly caused issues under attacking kicks, while Makazole Mapimpi dominated Will Jordan. Jordie Barrett and Beauden Barrett also had problems in the backfield in a repeat of the issues the All Blacks experienced last year.

New Zealand rugby may be suffering from the lack of South African opposition in Super Rugby.

Did the maul improve under a new forwards coach?

It did, particularly in the first half. The All Blacks forwards got into good positions early, and by the end of the first half South Africa were forced to run off the back of the maul due to a lack of momentum.

The Springboks did get one big maul working in the second half but this was a big tick for Ryan, who has improved the work of the pack in just two weeks.

What about the attack?

Again, it was a struggle – although perhaps for different reasons than against Ireland. The All Blacks were simply beaten at the breakdown and couldn’t get enough continuity.

When they managed to hold the ball for some phases, they looked like they could create some space – but those attacks were few and far between.

On the counterattack, the All Blacks’ inability to deal with the high ball meant they couldn’t get the unstructured situations they love.

Was the scrum as vulnerable as it looked on paper?

Unfortunately, yes. While Angus Ta’avao and George Bower have undoubtedly improved at the setpiece as they have matured, neither would be regarded as natural scrum monsters.

The Springboks came at the All