Rugby: Simon Hickey shines as Auckland hammer Manawatu

Simon Hickey celebrated his historic provincial match with two attempts as Auckland responded from last week’s flat loss to beat Manawatu 50-12 in a deserted Eden Park.

Hickey’s half century has been a long time coming. The diminutive playmaker is back in the blue and white hoops after five years in the Northern Hemisphere, where he spent time in France and Scotland.

Hickey signed to play for the Hurricanes next season, but on Sunday afternoon, in front of fewer than 100 supporters, the 26-year-old showed his poise to regularly challenge the line, deliver test assists and calmly lead Auckland to a victory that was never in doubt.

In the eight-on-two bout, Hickey helped fuel Auckland’s potent attacking ability to rack up 22 points and lead Alama Ieremia’s team to a 16th straight win over Manawatu, which remains winless this season.

“It’s great to be home again,” Hickey said. “It was a lot of fun playing in front of my family today. It’s been a long time since I’ve had them all there. I was lucky that the coach fixed me with so many tackles. I’m very proud to play 50 games. for Auckland.

“I decided to go back just before the coronavirus hit, so I was very lucky with the moment. I missed home, I missed New Zealand rugby and being with my family and friends, so it’s great to be back.”

Auckland squandered several try-scoring opportunities due to individual whites’ impatience and fever in the first half in particular, but their second win of three attempts is a step in the right direction following the 39-21 home loss. last week against Wellington.

It also came in a different context, with most of the All Blacks no longer available for provincial duties.

Auckland improved enormously from last week’s effort against Wellington, much more engaged on defense, while their dominant scrum laid the groundwork for the baseline to run rampant.

Ieremia is aware that Auckland, however, will face much tougher tests this season, starting next week against the Bay of Plenty in Rotorua. Ieremia is wary of becoming the next nuisance victim after Southland and Hawke’s Bay achieved surprising results this weekend. Otago, who claimed the Ranfurly Shield from Taranaki, also denied Auckland a challenge in two weeks.

“It just shows that if you’re not in your best game, they’re going to hit you,” Ieremia said. “It’s exciting for the fans, not for the coaches.”

Enjoying the ball with his front foot through dynamic wings AJ Lam, who claimed two attempts, and Salesi Rayasi impressed on the edges. All Blacks block Patrick Tuipulotu made a revealing cameo from the bench in the second half.

Four attempts in the first half, for Lam, Waimana Reidlinger-Kapa, ​​Hickey and Rayasi, led Auckland to a 26-5 lead at halftime after taking advantage of a big breeze in the first period.

Manawatu did not help their cause, conceding two yellow cards in the first half. Lock Paulo Teófilo was lucky not to get a red card after he crushed Jordan Trainor with what appeared to be a shoulder to the head after the Auckland defender spilled the ball in the ninth minute. Referee Dan Waenga considered that Trainor’s crouching movement saved Teofilo from being sent off.

Free-headed prop Tietie Tuimauga received the second yellow card for repeated scrum infringements, but winger Adam Boult pulled off an excellent shot to claim Manawatu’s first attempt as the visitors were reduced to 13 men.

Once restored to their full contingent, Manawatu managed to claim the final try, but this time they were never in the same league.

Auckland 50 (AJ Lam 2, Simon Hickey 2, Waimana Reidlinger-Kapa, ​​Salesi Rayasi, Blake Gibson, Jordan Trainor tries; Hickey 5 cons)
Manawatu 12 (Adam Boult, Sam Stewart tries; B Wyness scam)
HT: 26-5