[ad_1]
No Kieran Read, no problem for Counties Manukau, who finally ended their 10 Miter Cup losing streak on Saturday.
The former All Blacks captain was staying out of another game as part of his deal with Japanese club Toyota, but instead it was another loose forward who stole the show, with Alamanda Motuga, a wide wing, landing a hat. -trick of attempts in a thrilling 36-30. Defeat Manawatū at Navigation Homes Stadium.
The 26-year-old, who has been a star for Samoa on the sevens circuit and was called up to cover an injury for his 15-year-old World Cup team last year (without debuting), proved to be a key figure, scoring. your team’s first try. in an effort to come from behind, then adding two in the space of five minutes in the middle of the second half.
Phil Walter / Getty Images
Counties Manukau Alamanda Motuga, wide open on the wide side, scored a hat-trick in her team’s win against Manawatū in Pukekohe.
Having been relegated from the top division last year, the Steelers had lost 11 losses in a row and had not won at home since the final round of the 2017 season, but they ended those streaks with a compound comeback, which also ensured that the drought 40-year-old Turbos at Pukekohe remain intact.
READ MORE:
* Miter Cup 10: Salesi Rayasi double elevates Auckland to victory over Bay of Plenty
* ‘They’ll be bubbly’: All Blacks expect warmth from Wallabies and Dave Rennie at Bledisloe Cup opening
* Ex-All Black Allan Hewson on his famous kick, history lessons and abusive fans
In a battle of the only winless teams in the championship division, the sides now swap places in the leaderboard, although the Turbos are just two points behind, after collecting a couple of bonus points for their efforts.
It looked like Manawatū might be prepared to snap their own unwanted losing streak, taking a 12-0 lead and a 20-12 halftime lead, but were ultimately outmatched by a home team that withstood the initial pressure and then fell back. clung. with some nervous moments at the end.
Phil Walter / Getty Images
Kirisi Kuridrani scored a crucial try to help the Steelers to victory.
In the final stages, an incorrect assistant referee raised the flag midway on Manawatū’s replacement Drew Wild, it looked like he might steal one last chance from the visitors, only for Latiume Fosita, the Steelers second five-eighths, to strike. the ball by touching it, believing that the siren had sounded. It exploded shortly after. However, in the end, the home team got into the lineout ball and closed it, with their hearts in their mouths.
Earlier in the day, it was a two-halves first half, with the first 20 minutes a forgettable affair, as both sides were guilty of careless execution, in perfect condition.
Having mastered the proceedings but killed a couple of golden chances, Manawatū finally opened the scoring right at the 20 minute mark, and that was the catalyst for the game to come to life, with five attempts in 17 minutes and passes now being made. they keep as both. the teams showed good initiative.
Phil Walter / Getty Images
Manawatū, second five eighths, James Tofa scored a good early try for the visitors.
Three of the attempts came through starting lines, Turbos wide open end Shamus Hurley-Langton opened the scoring with a surprising effort to pull away, and the visitors suddenly had two in three minutes when second-five James Tofa broke in from 35 meters.
It took the counties a couple of minutes to strike back, with Motuga sprinting 25 meters under the bar after a great build-up phase, but Manawatū restored his double-digit lead when hooker Sam Stewart fell from a maul.
However, the hosts responded with a nice maul of their own, in which captain Orbyn Leger took the spoils, the center being one of several backs that joined in the push.
A penalty from Wyness led the Turbos to an eight-point margin until halftime, and while they threatened to extend the lead early in the second period, it was a penalty from Kerr that reduced the margin.
However, Manawatū was back in control a few minutes later, with winger Te Rangatira Waitokia launching into the right corner from a meter away.
That bonus point attempt made him 25-15, but again the hosts were quick to hit back and thanks to a good opening play, Motuga’s heavy charging down the line gave him a double.
A couple of minutes later, it looked like the hosts had the upper hand for the first time all afternoon, but prop Conan O’Donnell’s juggling effort was scrapped.
However, the Steelers weren’t deterred, and thanks to some brilliant work from No. 8 Sam Slade, who looked back but opted for a beautiful short ball, a Motuga charged into the clearing for a distance of 20 yards. he exploded not only for his team’s advantage, but also for his hat-trick.
With momentum well and truly changed, a huge scrum near his own goal line relieved a lot of pressure for the hosts, and they froze their victory in the 70th minute when winger Kirisi Kuridrani came in for a fine shot from the right. -Corner of the hand.
TAKE A LOOK
Manukau Counties 36 (Alamanda Motuga 3, Orbyn Leger, Kirisi Kuridrani tries; Baden Kerr 2 scam, Jason Robertson 3 scam) Beat 30 (Shamus Hurley-Langton, James Tofa, Sam Stewart, Waitokia’s Master, Drew Wild attempts; Ben Wyness ripped off, pen). HT: 20-12
MVP Points: Alamanda Motuga 3, Sam Slade 2, James Tofa 1.
