Laloifi shines as Turbos down Mooloos late
All Blacks wing Nehe Milner-Skudder was fairly quiet but looked assured and creative enough as Manawatu¯ opened their Mitre 10 Cup season with a 24-19 win against Waikato in Palmerston North on Saturday.
Every step Milner-Skudder took dazzled the locals at the Central Energy Trust Arena but it was former Reds winger Junior Laloifi taking the most plaudits as the fullback wrapped up victory with five minutes left after scoring a brilliant brace.
It was Waikato’s first match outside the top tier in 32 years and their first under former captain and stalwart Jono Gibbes but it’s now eight successive defeats (a growing province record) after their relegation from the Premiership last year.
Ahead of the Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney, Milner-Skudder was released by the All Blacks selectors. He didn’t see much ball until his perfectly timed run in the 24th minute cut Waikato’s defence open.
Milner-Skudder’s creative burst signalled Manawatu¯ ’s attacking intent and they overturned a 12-point deficit to move ahead in the second half.
An inspired Waikato try made it 19-19 in the final quarter but Laloifi scored the winner.
Back in the second tier for the first time since 1986, the Mooloos burst out of the blocks. Sevu Reece and Samisoni Taukei’aho touched down in the opening 10 minutes as Waikato enjoyed almost 90 per cent of possession and territory in the first quarter for a 12-0 lead, before MilnerSkudder’s injection lifted Manawatu¯ from their slow start.
Manawatu drew level when Faalelei Sione scored a contentious try in the 50th minute.
Manawatu¯ were on a roll, and Rob Thompson’s try gave them the lead seven minutes later but Waikato replied as Declan O’Donnell finished off a brilliant team effort.
Laloifi scored the winning try, though, and Manawatu¯ held on in the dying minutes as Waikato’s final attack fell short.