Inspired Taniwha tip over Mako men in Whangarei

If the Tasman team needed a timely reminder of how fickle form is prior to their Ranfurly Shield challenge on Wednesday, they got it in spades on Saturday night.

The Mako men were given a rugby lesson by an inspired Northland side, who prevailed 32-5 in their NPC clash at a rain-swept Semenoff Stadium in Whangarei.

The Taniwha dominated in almost every facet. They out-hustled Tasman at the breakdown, their defence was more reliable, they were more clinical on attack and their set pieces provided a better platform to attack from.

Some may suggest Tasman took their eye off the ball tonight, looking ahead at the chance to get their hands on the coveted “Log of Wood” in Wellington in four days. But that would do the Taniwha a disservice.

They were winless going into the match but displayed the sort of grit and passion that has made their home stadium such a hard place for a visiting side to succeed at.

At halftime the game was very much in the balance.

Northland dominated the early stages and leapt out to a 10-0 lead, before a Quentin MacDonald try from a lineout drive brought the visitors back into the match.

A second Taniwha touchdown before the break allowed the home side to go to the sheds with a 15-5 lead, no doubt anticipating a Tasman comeback after oranges.

However, it did not eventuate.

A second try to boom winger Heremia Murray, plus a lengthy penalty and conversion by first five Rivez Reihana, allowed the Taniwha a 25-5 lead just five minutes into the second half, forcing the Tasman management to make multiple personnel changes in an effort to play catch-up.

But everything the Mako tried came up short. When they were able to establish decent field position they strung together multiple phases only to meet a solid wall of Cambridge Blue. Their cause was not helped by a dysfunctional lineout, plus a few unforced errors amid a sometimes-clunky attack.

Eventually the home side were able to put an exclamation mark on a stunning performance, replacement hooker Matt Moulds surging over in the final minutes, leaving former Marlborough man Dan Hawkins to slot the final points.

While some of the Mako side will be keen to distance themselves from this effort, a few shone out. Flanker Anton Segner had a busy match, both on attack and defence, as did midfielder Alex Nankivell and winger Timoci Tavatavanawai, who found himself something of a marked man on attack.

A reversal such as this can cut both ways for Tasman. If they needed a gee-up before they take on the Lions they certainly got that, however they must very quickly pick themselves up, address their obvious issues and refocus or they may find not only the Shield, but also their strong start to the season slipping away.

Scores: Northland 32 (Heremaia Murray 2, Matt Moulds, Liam Hallam-Eames tries, Rivez Reihana 2 pen, 2 con, Dan Hawkins con) Tasman (Quentin MacDonald try). HT: 15-5.