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A party mired in mediocrity in the Deep South desperately needed a touch of class. Enter Southland Stags skipper Tony Lamborn, who at this point looks like provincial offseason buy.
The end result was a thrilling 11-10 win for Lamborn’s Stags over an unfortunate North Harbor team at Invercargill’s Rugby Park on Saturday afternoon that was notable for a number of reasons.
For starters, the Southlanders are now 2-1 in the 10 Miter Cup season and are rushing through the Championship with nine points. It was also the first time since 2016 that the Stags achieved back-to-back home wins in this provincial competition and their first home win over Harbor in seven long years.
These have been tough times lately for New Zealand’s southernmost provincial union. Last year they were 1-9 and suffered terrible blows.
Dianne Manson / Getty Images
Tony Lamborn was in his prime of inspiration for the Stags in their 10 Miter Cup win over North Harbor.
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But at least they have a group in 2020 with a bit of ticker, courage and stamina. Prior to this, they had rolled Hawke’s Bay 16-10 at home and then were defeated 17-14 by the Bay of Plenty in Rotorua. They’re on the run and they have a 42-year-old local legend coming off the bench in Jason Rutledge to deliver one of the most enjoyable stories in the competition.
Lamborn, a New Zealand-born US international, is clearly a big part of that. He is a robust loose forward with a high work rate and no shortage of skill. He was drawn south to join and lead the Stags this year after a promising season with the Blues as a supporting actor in his abundant actions.
Clearly, he has a lot in the tank because he has been impressive for the Southlanders in all three games, and was downright brilliant on a low-quality affair Saturday.
Fittingly, it was Lamborn’s take on the big moment in the final minutes that turned an unpromising situation into a night of celebration in the south. Harbor, now 0-3 for the season and elected to the Premiership, seemed to be running time confidently with a succession of unique forays and a 10-8 lead.
Robyn Edie
Southland player Tony Lamborn prepares for a tackle.
But in phase 16, Lamborn seized his moment wonderfully, came in fast and turned the ball around for the umpteenth time in a rowdy afternoon. The Stags attacked, fullback Joshua Moorby provided the key break and, as they had done most of the game, Harbor made the mistake, breaking into the ruck to set up a game-winning penalty for replacement back Greg Dyer.
He held his nerve splendidly to score the triple, and the celebrations could begin.
Lamborn was comfortably the best on the show, whether it was on the carry from No. 8, or on the breakdown where he prevailed or on defense where he tackled with his heart.
He then spoke about the key late rotation on Sky TV: “I think it was crucial. He was sitting behind the D looking for an opportunity to catch the ball. Luckily the guys made a great tackle and the ball was available, so I snatched it up. “
It’s also a kind of humor, as confirmed by an exchange with referee James Munro in the middle of the second half that went something like this: Ref: “That’s a penalty. What would you like (i.e. shot or scrum)? “Lamborn:” Please try. “
The home forwards fought well throughout the match, with the great Manaaki Selby-Rickit featured as well and Rutledge once again providing a revealing cameo from the bench. He won two turnovers penalties shortly after entering the contest and his team could be seen lifting with his presence.
Harbor was completely disappointing. Flanker Tim Sail had a pretty decent match and Gerard Cowley Tuoiti worked hard in the tight. But the visitors simply couldn’t string anything together before mistakes or infractions stopped their momentum in its tracks. They conceded 27 massive turnovers in the match.
A rather disappointing first half throughout the round ended, fittingly, in a shoddy mistake with Harbor hooker Luteru Tolai striking the ball when his team was in prime position to increase their 7-0 lead, even with a man less, with pillar Nick Mayhew In the bin.
Robyn Edie
Stags player Tevita Latu runs with the ball, and the Southland Stags win 11-10.
Neither team would have been happy with his return. Harbor looked like the more dangerous side with the ball in hand (carrying 205 meters to just 88 for the home team), but made too many handling errors. Fifteen turnovers conceded in the first 40 minutes told the story of his failures.
Visiting wing Sail scored the only try of the half, just past the quarter-hour mark, when Harbor worked nine stages on a start option and the No. 7 timed his career very well after Bryn Gatland’s strong carry.
But despite still looking dangerous with ball in hand from then on, Harbor was unable to increase his account before the break.
Southland was also guilty of shoddy execution when it mattered, no more than in the late half when they had Harbor on the ropes via the lineout-drive route, with Mayhew sent to the container for an illegal maul collapse. But since blocking at home in the second set, Michael McKee couldn’t take the ball cleanly and the visitors were able to clear his line.
Robyn Edie
Southland unsettled North Harbor with its torrid defense.
And so it continued after the break. Mistake after mistake after mistake, with flashes of skill and promise.
Southland winger Rory van Vugt crossed for a try in the 56th minute to put them to two, Cowley-Tuioti sinned (wrongly) offside on a penalty touch near the line, then Scott Eade put the home team in front on the back of Rutledge’s second penalty won with a quarter of an hour from the end.
But Harbor won the territory and the lead, with six minutes remaining via a Gatland penalty, and looked at quids as the last horn approached. Enter Lamborn. Great pickup. Inspirational leader.
Southland 11 (Rory van Vugt proof; Scott Eade pen; Greg Dyer pen), North port 10 (Tim Sail test; Bryn Gatland pen, against). Height: 0-7.
MVP Points: Tony Lamborn 3, Tim Sail 2, Jason Rutledge 1.
