Rugby: Auckland clings to edge of Bay of Plenty in Miter 10 Cup

Auckland have faced an improved Bay of Plenty side in the 10 Miter Cup, clinging to a 20-16 win tonight.

An established Auckland lineup was facing a five-day turnaround after a huge win over Manawatū, and was challenged in Rotorua by a Bay of Plenty team that had improved from an unconvincing win over Southland and a total loss to Wellington last weekend.

It was far from champagne rugby, but Auckland had two attempts from Salesi Rayasi in the first half to thank for their victory. The Hurricanes winger leapt over Emoni Narawa to catch a cross shot from TJ Faiane and score in the corner, before doubling his tally just before halftime after going over the line from close range.

Otere Black kept the hosts in the game with three penalties to make it 17-9 at halftime, and when Leroy Carter made the most of an Auckland error in the back to clean up and splash, the Bays were back.

A Harry Plummer penalty put Auckland quickly back to a more comfortable four-point margin with 23 minutes to play, and that’s where the score remained, despite a late raise from Bay of Plenty after winning a penalty with one minute to go.

Through the resulting 11 phases, the hosts fought within five meters of the Auckland line, but a counter-ruck put pressure on captain Aaron Carroll and he fumbled, and with it, the possibility of victory.

“We made it difficult, especially in the second half, but proud of the heart we showed,” Faiane said.

“They are a tough team, I think they have no luck with the results they are getting so far, but we knew these guys would be hungry and we had to show up.”

Carroll stayed behind to regret a slow start, but kept a positive outlook.

“We’re just not shooting. The last 15 [minutes] We found our style, that’s a feeling that I haven’t felt with this team since last year, I’m looking forward to a little more of that and I think we have incredible things to come. “

Auckland advances to second place on the Premiership ladder with 14 points, one behind leader Tasman who plays North Harbor on Sunday. Bay of Plenty gets an extra point but remains in sixth place.

Tomorrow’s matches will see Counties Manukau take on Manawatū, Northland host Taranaki and Canterbury take on Wellington.