Rugby league competition leaders Auckland Pride travelled south to the rugged West Coast yesterday, leaving with their pride dented after a 30-20 loss to the South Island Scorpions.
The Scorpions adapted better to the testing conditions at Wingham Park with a heavy surface and consistent rain, and it was the West Coast connections that helped them tip over the visitors in a convincing victory.
Manu Weepu dominated around the ruck and scored a double. James Baxendale, the son of Runanga and Kiwis’ legend Ray Baxendale, scored a try and successfully converted all five from the game to give the duo 22 of the South Island’s 30 points.
Auckland were first to draw blood, when Soape Kavaliku scored three minutes into the game and Kurt Te Hira converted. Both sides were guilty of handling errors early on.
South Island were applying pressure and off the back of a Josh Reuben kick on the last, Auckland fullback Philip Pese fumbled. Scorpions’ centre Bruce Havea chased hard and collected the try.
Auckland replied four minutes later, with Aaron Booth scoring after a charging run up field by Suaia Matagi. But a repeat set from penalties just short of half-time led to Weepu using strength to push through beside the posts for his first try of the afternoon. Weepu started the second half with the same intensity, scoring after five minutes of play.
Auckland kept on trucking, despite having limited possession. Back rower Manu Ma’u threw everything he had at the Scorpions’ defensive line, and Suaia Matagi kept the visitors in the game, toeing the ball forward from dummy half to score.
With less than 15 minutes to go Auckland were called for a double movement.
Overall, the South Island’s kicking game was far superior and their forwards were more hungry. Props, Jay Pukepuke who played 70 minutes and Rulon Nutira, were in devastating form eating up metres, while Baxendale and Reuben kicked for field possession. The last 10 minutes saw Baxendale and reserve Alex Todd score easy tries. Booth scored a converted, consolation try for Auckland with two minutes to go, leaving the final score at 30-20.
Auckland coach Brent Gemmell said he knew it would be a hard battle on the West Coast. “We came down here expecting a tough challenge and got one. South Island simply outplayed us’’.
South Island coach and former Kiwi, Brent Stuart praised his team for the result.
“This was a good win for us, we trained hard all week and the boys stuck to the game plan. All 17 of them stepped up, I’m very happy with them.’’
Scores.— South Island 30 (Manu Weepu 2, Bruce Havea, James Baxendale, Alex Todd tries; James Baxendale 5 cons). Auckland 20 (Aaron Booth 2, Soape Kavaliku, Suaia Matagi; Kurt Te Hira 2 cons).
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