Air New Zealand Cup Rugby, Round 10: Auckland Back in Winning Form
Southland went to Eden Park with many goals, one to break their long running loosing streak at the ground. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be the case. Read on …
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Auckland used their dominating loose forwards and better all round play to beat the Southland Stags 27 – 13 at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday afternoon.
The Stags couldn’t break their Eden Park hoodoo, lacking discipline in the breakdown, commiting excessive handling errors and disappointing tactical kicking sending them to a crashing defeat. Auckland were a much improved unit from their loss to Tasman last weekend, using the ball around the field and cashing in on their try scoring opportunities.
Both teams traded penalties early on, Southland having the breeze but not using it to their full advantage. Five minutes from half time, Southland finally got some reward for showing someenterprise, flanker John Hardie crashing over to make the score 11-12. Dead on halftime, Auckland jumped ahead again, halfback Taniela Moa crossing the line to make the score 17-13.
The second half made the Stags resort to desperate measures, spreading the ball wide but to no use, as they fumbled the ball too many times. Southland didn’t look like a top four team as they struggled away, turning the ball over in the breakdown to a more dominating Auckland pack. Auckland’s better all round play saw them run away with the game, scoring two more tries, halfback Moa crossing for his second and late in the game replacement forward Saili making a huge run, busting through Southland tacklers to put the game beyond doubt.
It was another case of heartbreak for the Stags who believed they could break their Eden Park hoodoo. The standouts were Flanker John Hardie and Jason Rutledge, who were relentless, making good turnovers and Scott Cowan.
A much improved Auckland team from last week’s defeat had many great contributors. All Black Jerome Kaino’s return gave his team a obvious edge, storming through players with ball in hand and a menace for Southland tacklers all over the field. For Auckland, backline star Taniela Moa was simply outstanding scoring two tries and five eighth Ash Moeke had a strong game, kicking well and directing the ball well.
Both teams face a tough few final rounds. Southland hosts Tasman next Saturday in Invercargill and Auckland travels to New Plymouth to meet Taranaki on Friday night. Southland lies in forth place with 28 points and Auckland in sixth with 26 points. Places may change though, with the Northland vs Tasman result from Sunday pending.
