Manawatu escape with late victory

An Otere Black penalty on fulltime helped Manawatu escape with a 34-31 win over Southland in Palmerston North last night.

The Turbos looked to be cruising up 24-0 at halftime, but Southland’s second half effort, including two tries in the first four minutes, helped them come storming back.

It was the first time Manawatu has opened the season with back-to-back wins since they returned to the championship division in 2006.

A try to Southland flanker Bill Fukofuka looked to have saved the game for Southland. First five-eighth Whaenui Hawera nailed the sideline conversion to even the scores with three minutes remaining.

But after the fulltime siren, Manawatu was awarded a penalty 40m out from the line. Black, who had not missed a kick all night stepped up slotted the ball through the sticks for the win.

Southland replacement prop Peni Raval was one of the stars of their comeback. He picked up plenty of metres every time he got the ball and showed good vision with his offloads.

But it was a very different match early in the game when both teams seemed intent on kicking the ball away.

Callum Gibbins drew the first blood after a 40m break from a pick and go. He burst right through on the blindside and scored in the right corner.

Manawatu’s momentum was stalled by their fascination with chip kicks, which were largely ill-timed and poorly placed.

But when Southland returned the favour, Manawatu capitalised.

The ball was spread wide, prop Chris Eves took straight, offloaded it to Jason Emery, who set up Ngani Laumape for the try.

Ironically it was an Ambrose Curtis chip kick that set up the third. Southland failed to clean it up and Laumape picked up his second in the 29th minute.

Manawatu led 24-0 at halftime but Southland started the second stanza in the best possible fashion as No 8 Mika Mafi rumbled over the line.

And one minute later, a break from Wharenui Hawera set up a try for Ngalaufe, one of Southland’s best of the night.

But just when Southland looked to be getting back into the match, Hamish Northcott intercepted a pass and set up Laumape for his hat-trick off what looked to be a suspect forward pass.

A try and a penalty to Hawera closed the score to seven points with 17 minutes remaining. Southland collected two bonus points from the match.

In the other match last night, Auckland beat Northland 37-15.