Air New Zealand Cup Rugby 2009: Week 11 – Stags Destroy Makos

The Southland Stags displayed their most dominant performance of the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup, with a 41 – 0 thrashing of Tasman at Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill on Saturday evening.

The Stags had the bulk of possession, territory and made the most of the ball to shutdown a depleted Makos outfit. Tasman tried hard at times to gain advantage but never completed their set pieces, the Stags eventually taking over the whole game.

The scoreline started in the 16th minute when halfback Jimmy Cowan crossed the line from a five metre scrum. It was true reward for a good start from the Stags who had punched away at the Tasman line for some time. Robbie Robinson kicked the goal and the Stags lead 7-0. The scores never changed going in to the half time break.

Southland turned on the heat in the second half. Fullback Glen Horton touching down three times as the Stags backline ran riot. Tasman never had any possession to use the ball and the little ball they had, they would lose from either a knock on or a turnover. The Stags scored six second half tries through Jason Kawau, Jason Rutledge and John Hardie including Horton’s hat-rick.

Players of the match were Stags fullback Glen Horton with his obvious try scoring ability and returning All Black Jimmy Cowan was an outstanding addition to the lineup. The forwards had a dominant game all round, especially the loose forwards. For the Tasman Makos it was hard to pick a standout player as they struggled all over the field, failing to gain any momentum.

It was a performance the Stags needed after two defeats in a row against Wellington and Auckland. A crowd of 6000 people giving their team a huge ovation at the end, the stags acknowledging them after their best win of the season.  The bonus point win was vital, as it leap-frogged them to third on the ladder with more games in the round to come.

The Stags will face Taranaki next Friday night back at Rugby Park Stadium in Invercargill, with another Stags win would come close to sealing a semi final spot. Tasman still have a slight hope of a semi final spot but must post bonus point wins against Otago in Dunedin next weekend and their final round clash against Wellington in Blenheim.