Manawatu start with win but Northland demonstrate resilience
It was rusty rather than resounding, but Manawatu opened their Mitre 10 Cup campaign with a victory over Northland at Toll Stadium.
Relegated from the Premiership last year, Manawatu were heavy favourites to start their season on a high note, but the Turbos were pushed to the brink by an improved Northland outfit.
Northland had one of the worst seasons in NPC history last year, losing all 10 games by an average margin of 27 points.
The signs were more promising in 2016’ s opener, with a sound attacking performance giving hope of a more competitive season in their second campaign under coach Richie Harris.
That wasn’t the case in the open- ing moments, however, as Manawatu looked in for an easy night. Impressive midfielder Ngani Laumape was first to cross, before Heiden BedwellCurtis showed remarkable skills to fake an offload, spin and cruise in uncontested to increase the lead.
Against Northland teams of old, a 17- 0 lead would seem insurmountable, but with Manawatu reduced to 14 men, the Taniwha responded.
Led by the talents of Kara Pryor, Northland made the most of their attacking advantage with a stunning 80m effort finished by Warren Dunn, while loose forward Mike Faleafa notched a first- half double as Northland took a two- point halftime buffer.
Northland hadn’t produced a comeback victory from a deficit of 15 points in over a decade, and a Jack Ram try soon after the break had hopes high of a remarkable victory.
However, Otere Black helped guide Manawatu back into the contest. A cross- kick to Ambrose Curtis produced a quality try, before Black’s sideline conversion tied the game.
Fellow reserve Jamie Booth also provided a spark, and it was his break which eventually saw Jason Emery go over out wide to seal a nervous win. Manawatu 34 ( Ngani Laumape, Heiden Bedwell- Curtis, Ambrose Curtis, Jason Emery tries; Sam Malcolm 2 con, 2 pen, Otere Black 2 con) Northland 27 ( Mike Faleafa 2, Warren Dunn, Jack Ram tries; Peter Breen 2 con, pen). Halftime: 17- 19